Yorkshire GMC recruits first participant for 100,000 Genomes Project

One of the UK government's revolutionary Genomic Medicine Centres (GMC) has made its first recruitment in accordance with the ongoing 100,000 Genomes Project.

Donna Proctor, a 49-year-old domestic supervisor at Seacroft Hospital, is the first person to provide a blood sample to the new Yorkshire and Humber NHS GMC.

Originally when launched, the project included 11 GMCs dotted around the country. In December 2015, an additional two GMCs were added, helping to increase the numbers of participants recruited to the project.

The project, launched in 2012, aims to place the UK as a world leader in diagnosing and treating cancer and rare diseases through the building of a robust genomic database. The extensive database will include various genetic information associated with each disease, including specific genetic mutations that can aid in diagnosis and better inform treatment decisions.

Clinical Director for the Yorkshire and Humber NHS GMC project, Dr Andrew Jack, said: "Genomics is key to the future of medicine. Patients with inherited genetic disorders and cancer will benefit though the provision of more efficient diagnosis, better patient information and by enabling access to the next generation of targeted therapies."

Professor Sue Hill, the Chief Scientific Officer for England, echoed Jack's enthusiasm for the news, specifically referencing it as a "great step forward for healthcare in Yorkshire and Humber."

"[This is] another step in keeping NHS care at the cutting edge of science. The contribution of people like Donna, and many, many others like her, is helping to build the future of health care across the country."

The total number of anticipated project participants stands at around 70,000. At time of writing, the total number of whole genomes sequenced stands at 7896. The latest figures can be checked here.