The Human Genome Project
Our clients today rely on the wealth of information we can extract from sequencing parts or all of the human genome to inform their research. However, the fast-paced world of modern genomics was only made possible by the pioneers of sequencing technology and early genomic data analysis.
The Human Genome Project carried out roughly from 1990-2003, was the first successful attempt to produce a draft sequence of the human genome. With an estimated cost of $3 billion dollars and relatively slow sequencing technology, the resulting sequence was a major milestone but was not yet practically applicable to research.
Data Boom
However, it didn’t take long before improvements were made to existing sequencing technologies. By 2005, sequencers were on the market that was six times cheaper with much higher throughput. Fast forward to today, where a whole genome can be sequenced for under $1000, potentially even for just $100, and one can imagine the staggering quantity of genomic data that has been produced between 2003 and now.
While today, sequencing is often ordered with a clear research question in mind, there is also a huge pool of data produced out of curiosity or exploratory research. Scientists can very easily end up “swimming” in genomic data: having large quantities of sequence data but no way to safely store and analyze it to pull out meaningful biological insights.
What Makes Data Useful?
Genomics is a field that benefits from large sample sizes, so in some ways, swimming in data is good, as it means we are reaching a critical mass of information. However, large datasets require highly organized storage systems and sophisticated analysis tools. This is where the field of bioinformatics, which can be described as “genomic data science,” comes in.
Outsourcing Bioinformatics Analysis: How We Can Help
Transforming raw sequence data into actionable biological insights is no small feat. We can help you tackle the challenging computational task of interpreting genomic data. Bridge Informatics’ bioinformaticians are trained bench biologists, so they understand the biological questions driving your computational analysis. Click here to schedule a free introductory call with a member of our team.
Dan Ryder, MPH, PhD
Dan is the founder and CEO of Bridge Informatics, a professional services firm helping pharmaceutical companies translate genomic data into medicine. Unlike any other data analytics firm, Bridge forges sustainable communication change between their client’s biological and computational scientists. Dan is particularly passionate about improving communication between people of different scientific backgrounds, enabling bioinformaticians and software engineers to collectively succeed.
Prior to forming Bridge Informatics, Dan served in a variety of roles helping pharmaceutical clients solve early-phase drug discovery and development challenges. Dan received both a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and an MPH in Disease Control from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston). He completed his postdoctoral studies in Molecular Pathways of Energy Metabolism at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dan received his undergraduate degree in Microbiology from the University of Texas at Austin. Click here to connect with Dan on LinkedIn.
Sources:
https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/fact-sheets/human-genome-project
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917434/pdf/viruses-06-00106.pdf
