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Harnessing Genomics to drive a step change  in personalized medicine A Cancer Genomics Project Manager perspective Cancer Genomics is an area of life science focusing on cancer-associated genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomic alterations, enabling gene-guided diagnosis, prognosis, and identifying eligibility for increased surveillance or personalized therapies, in patients with inherited or acquired cancers. Genomics mainstreaming in the NHS The National Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) has evolved from the world-renowned 100,000 Genomes Project, and is the organization responsible for the detection of cancer-relevant genes. The GMS is divided in to 7 regional Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). Each GLH delivers Genomic testing that has clear and proven clinical benefit. Providing equitable access to Genomic analysis with an option for Genomic data to be accessed by approved researchers, expanding the genetic diversity of the clinical database, and increasing the discovery of drug-gene

A PILOT PROGRAMME OF GENOMICS EDUCATION

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The Geno ME Project Genomics Medicine is transforming our NHS, with patients accessing whole genome sequencing that facilitates earlier diagnosis, personalised therapeutic interventions, and significantly improved clinical outcomes. The public will need a degree of genome literacy in order to engage with the Genomic Medicine Service to reap these rewards, and to shape future service provision.    Last year, my enthusiasm for the rapidly evolving field of Genomics in Healthcare, and connections at Preston North End Community & Education Trust , combined to create a dynamic partnership which has proven success in capturing the imaginations of children, enlightening them about the wonders of genomes, and inspiring future Healthcare Scientists.  ' The Geno ME Project' aims to increase genomic literacy particularly in lower socio-economic communities, overcome the cultural barriers to understanding due to social or economic inequality, and ultimately to socialise the genome by 

ENABLING WOMEN IN A GENDER-BIASED STEM WORKFORCE

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Viewpoint from an Aspiring Leader Class of 2019-2020 After a successful application last year, I was one of 32 like-minded women working in Healthcare Science chosen to benefit from the Chief Scientific Officer's Women in Science and Engineering Leadership Development Programme . Identified as a future leader, I embarked on NHS England's fast tracking Aspiring Leader's scheme to address gender imbalance in scientific roles, and achieve my professional and personal goals.  The programme is a forum for women to support other women reach their fullest potential in a field which currently lacks diversity, so as to increase female representation in science and engineering professions, and also to inspire girls to follow their dream careers. The WISE Campaign  aims to reach 200,000 girls in the next 5 years, and I am learning how much I can contribute to and benefit from this effort. For me, there have been many coaching and mentoring opportunities from senior leaders in the scie

Responding to the COVID crisis

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Prior to Marc h 2020, I was leading the way in Lancashire and South Cumbria, facilitating the implementation of Geno mics Medicine in routine clinical practice. Suddenly it became clear from events in Wuhan China, and subsequent confirmed cases in the UK, that the clinical laboratories in England would be called upon to mount a herculean response to an emerging global infection caused by coronavirus, aka SARS-CoV-2. With my molecular skills and experience, I knew that this would undoubtedly involve me. The call to action in a lockdown My usual human Genomic activities were immediately stood down. Laboratories and resources were repurposed, and new instruments were procured. A round-the-clock testing service involving many platforms was set up in a matter of days, to extract, amplify and detect specific sequences of this coronavirus genome, rapidly   diagnosing patients with COVID disease on a huge   scale. A new 'normal' Many Healthcare Scientists like myself from collaborating