Research profiles – Computing our genomes

In health research, collecting the data is only the beginning. All the information in the world is useless if you don’t have the tools to analyze it. And the advent of research techniques like whole genome sequencing mean that health researchers’ data sets are getting bigger and more complex.

It took 10 years and almost $3 billion US to generate the first map of the human genome; now an individual’s genome can be sequenced in a single day for about $5,000. And the technology continues to get faster and cheaper. This opens up the possibility that clinicians will be able to use genetic data to tailor medical treatment to individual patients. We have the technology to generate the information, but do we have the technology to actually interpret and use that information?

In computational biology and bioinformatics, researchers apply the algorithms of computer science to important questions about human health. Which genetic variations increase the risk of disease? How can we use this knowledge to improve diagnosis and treatment? For personalized medicine to become a reality, we must be able to build computer programs that can help us sift through vast amounts of genomic data.

This month, learn more about CIHR-funded research in the areas of computational biology and bioinformatics.

• Bedside genomics: Dr. Michael Brudno at the University of Toronto is developing new software that will enable clinicians to quickly compare the genomes of hundreds of individuals to detect disease-causing mutations.

• Gaming for science: McGill researchers are developing online computer games that will enable them to “crowd-source” the analysis of genetic data.

• Decoding your health: Dr. Beyene and his colleagues are developing computer models that use genetic and environmental information to assess a person’s potential health outcomes in different scenarios.