UCLA Health announced a partnership with Regeneron Genetics Center Monday to conduct “exome sequencing” on 150,000 patients to search for hidden genetic anomalies that could lead to future health problems.
“We’ve talked for some time about the promise of precision medicine — a time when preventive measures and targeted treatments can be individualized to each patient’s genetic makeup,” said Dr. Daniel Geschwind, senior associate dean and associate vice chancellor of the UCLA Institute for Precision Health. “This is a watershed moment in that timeline, a big step toward that reality and a turning point in our research dedicated to changing the way future health care will be delivered for our patients and our community.”
UCLA already conducts “genotyping,” which analyzes specific elements of patients’ DNA to look for specific variations and target health care to address them. The “exome sequencing” process is more broad, analyzing “protein-coding genes” that could point to potential mutations. UCLA officials compared the genotyping process to searching for a needle in a pre-determined spot in a haystack, while exome sequencing searches the broader haystack in search of unexpected needles.
While providing medical information specific to individual patients, officials said the process could also have broader implications for the overall population, thanks in part to the ethnic diversity of the Los Angeles and Southern California region.
“Including diverse populations is critical to understanding genetic variability across different populations and developing new treatments that precisely target diseases,” said Dr. John Mazziotta, vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences and CEO of UCLA Health. “Our region’s population is a microcosm of the world, which makes UCLA Health an ideal setting for this project with Regeneron.”
Dr. Aris Baras, senior vice president and head of the Regeneron Genetics Center, added: “Genetic data that better represents the entirety of the human population will lead to better-informed treatment options for all people, which is why we continue to expand this unique drug discovery and development tool, while our collaborators utilize verified information in patients’ daily care.”