Whole Genome Sequencing: What is whole genome sequencing used for now?

*Please note that this video was produced in 2016 and the applications for whole genome sequencing continue evolving rapidly.*

This video explores a number of the fascinating ways in which whole genome sequencing is being used today.

You will hear from experts in various fields including cancer, diabetes and infectious disease, and learn about the specific ways in which whole genome sequencing is making a difference to patients.

These include:
- Enabling Public Health England to better and more quickly classify pathogens such as salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, and TB as well as identifying drug resistance and looking at transmission patterns in order to bring outbreaks to a close.

- Helping organisations such as the World Health Organisation by tracking the spread of infectious diseases such as Ebola in real time.

- Identifying the genetic causes of previously undiagnosed and often serious rare diseases.

- Better classifying types of diabetes and allowing a small group of patients to switch from insulin injections to tablets.

- Allowing researchers to make new links between genes and cancer susceptibility, which will mean better classification of cancers, better treatment for patients, and more accurate disease prediction.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 What is whole genome sequencing used for now?
00:37 Whole genome sequencing and public health
01:49 Whole genome sequencing and disease control
02:53 Whole genome sequencing in rare disease
03:27 Whole genome sequencing in microbiology
04:22 Whole genome sequencing and classifying diabetes
05:10 Whole genome sequencing in oncology and cancer