Avant-garde science
Genomics is a field with immense promise, that is not fully utilized in mainstream medical practice.
By taking risks and challenging the status quo, we hope to make this technology accessible to all and empower everyone to live better, healthier lives.
Your genome: the ultimate couture
The human genome is made up of 6 billion letters of DNA that encode instructions for every protein “building block” of the body.
In 2003, the first human genome was decoded at a price of USD $3B. Since then, the cost has dropped to under $1000.
Individuals are now having their own genomes sequenced and learning exactly what makes them unique.
This information can be interesting, empowering, and in some cases life-changing.
It starts with a cheek swab…
Your saliva sample contains tiny cells that each contain your individual genetic material. In the lab, scientists extract your DNA from these cells.
Humans have 99.9% identical DNA, but we also have genetic variations that make us all unique individuals. There are about 5,000 genes that scientists analyze to better understand inherited risks for disease.
For example, some genetic changes impact risk for common conditions like cancer and heart disease. Other genetic changes can affect how you process medications, or can be important when you’re planning a family.
Even for people who are overall healthy, this information can help inform and empower proactive medical care.
The Genomes2People Research Team and the Brigham Preventive Genomics Clinic
Our country's medical model is changing from diagnosing and treating to predicting and preventing with genomics catalyzing this paradigm shift in medicine and new technologies accelerating the change.
In this time of incredible promise for genomic medicine, the Genomes2People Research Program at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital is leading the way in studying the medical, behavioral and economic impacts of personal genomic information.
Dr. Robert Green is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the G2P Research Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Broad Institute. In addition to leading decades of research in preventive genomics, Dr. Green pioneered the opening of the Brigham Preventive Genomics Clinic in August 2019.
“The ultimate benefits of genomic sequencing are no less than the transformation of medicine itself from a reactive enterprise of treating patients who are already ill to a proactive enterprise of preventing illness before it occurs.”
— Robert C. Green, MD
The Research
Check out some key scientific articles below or visit our G2P publications page to learn more.
Perspectives of rare disease experts on newborn genome sequencing
Return of results in genomic research using large-scale or whole genome sequencing: Toward a new normal
Interpretation of genomic sequencing results in healthy and ill newborns: Results from the BabySeq Project. American Journal of Human Genetics January 2019
Racial minority group interest in direct-to-consumer genetic testing: findings from the PGen study. Journal of Community Genetics September 2017
Biobanks could identify medically actionable findings relevant for COVID-19 clinical care. Nature Medicine June 2020
Parents’ decision-making regarding whether to receive adult-onset only genetic findings for their children: Findings from the BabySeq Project
A genome sequencing system for universal newborn screening, diagnosis, and precision medicine for severe genetic diseases
Assessing co-occurring mental health conditions in a multidisciplinary Down syndrome clinic and the role of family history
Parental attitudes toward standard newborn screening and newborn genomic sequencing: Findings from the BabySeq Study
Evolving approaches to prenatal genetic counseling for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the new treatment era
Behavioral and psychological impact of genome sequencing: A pilot randomized trial of primary care and cardiology patients
Psychosocial effect of newborn genomic sequencing on families in the BabySeq Project
Effects of participation in a U.S. trial of newborn genomic sequencing on parents at risk for depression
A framework for automated gene selection in genomic sequencing
Discordant results between conventional newborn screening and genomic sequencing in the BabySeq Project
Clinical utility of genomic sequencing: a measurement toolkit
Understanding the return of genomic sequencing results process: Content review of participant summary letters in the eMERGE research network
Predictive and precision medicine with genomic data
Perceived benefits, risks, and utility of newborn genomic sequencing in the BabySeq Project
Interpretation of genomic sequencing results in healthy and ill newborns: Results from the BabySeq Project
An integrated clinical program and crowdsourcing strategy for genomic sequencing and Mendelian disease gene discovery
Reconciling newborn screening and a novel splice variant in BTD associated with partial biotinidase deficiency: A BabySeq Project case report
The BabySeq Project: Implementing genomic sequencing in newborns
Prenatal DNA sequencing: Clinical, counseling, and diagnostic laboratory considerations
Parental interest in genomic sequencing of newborns: Enrollment experience from the BabySeq Project
How primary care providers talk to patients about genome sequencing results: Risk, rationale, and recommendation
A curated gene list for reporting results in newborn genomic sequencing
Psychosocial factors influencing parental interest in genomic sequencing of newborns
Potential psychosocial risks of sequencing newborns
Newborn sequencing in genomic medicine and public health (NSIGHT)
Returning a genomic result for an adult-onset condition to the parents of a newborn: Insights from the BabySeq Project