Author: Kian

Over time many ideas, inquiries, and advancements have been made regarding all types of biotechnology. Whole-genome sequencing is an example of biotech that has created another positive impact on science. Whole-genome sequencing, otherwise known as WGS, is an important process, that continues to affect modern medicine. WGS is a technology that allows scientists to identify the order of bases that make up a genome which determines the genetic makeup of an organism’s originality. Genomes are the complete set of genetic instructions for an organism, therefore the key to unlocking many intricacies of an individual are not yet visible without this process. The process of WGS is quite simple. First, you begin by preparing DNA to be readable by a sequencing machine. Scientists often use different methods of preparation depending on how they have received the sample. Scientists then run the DNA through the machine to reveal a sequence of bases that represents the added DNA. This new sequence is then run against a standardized genome sequence to determine variants within the specific genome. This helps decipher the patterns and individuality of the sample which is an important part of genome sequencing and is crucial for this system to create an impact. Scientists then use the information gathered from the analysis to create a full sequence of bases that match the sample. The result of this system is a complete sequence that fully represents the entirety of genetic instructions in the genome. This information is now applicable for doctors and scientists to interpret many specifics regarding genetic makeup. Although this is a very simple process in the days of modern science, whole-genome sequencing has created many impacts. From identifying disease carriers, differentiating organisms, and a variety of other outcomes. WGS has greatly influenced today’s scientific community, and it is due to these advancements that many scientific quandaries will continue to step toward solutions.

There are two main factors that best represent the most monumental advancements in WGS. First, many advancements have been made in the medical aspect of whole-genome sequencing. The connection that WGS has to the medical field is strong. Most of the implications that have been made by WGS have been impactful to medicine. Specifically, regarding diseases. Scientists have been using WGS to fully understand the entirety of the human genome. By seeing a person or an organisms’ entire genetic makeup scientists and doctors have collaborated to use this information to determine specific genes within the organism. For example, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are both disorders that can be recognized more effectively with the process of WGS. As it is a way to easily determine a variety of genetic disorders consecutively. This is important as many of the disorders that are revealed by a genome can greatly increase before they are found. It is the time that is spared allowing carriers of these compromised genes to take proactive steps to benefit their health. Although genome sequencing is extremely helpful in finding diseases, advancements have also been made regarding the uses of the information. For example, the advancements in the next generation of WGS are being used to create personalized treatments for common genetic conditions. Currently, a variety of cancers are being introduced to these studies including colorectal cancer and melanoma. As well as using your genetic makeup to determine which medicines would most effectively impact a patient’s condition based on the sequence of bases and proteins. Originally, scientists goal of WGS was to determine the entire set of genetic instructions in humans and organisms, so the large advancement made is now applying the data to create positive change for people. Secondly, the main general advancement that has been made in WGS is regarding the system itself. New technology has allowed genome sequencing to take a step further. One of the most important switches genome sequencings is beginning to make is a transition in the data itself. Originally, sequencing machines would find small chunks of data and use computer programing to piece all the information together. Now, WGS has advanced enough allowing the technology involved to allow closer to a full picture instead of constructing patterns together. This allows scientists to find more information in the difficult access points of WGS. Due to this advancement, the holes in the analysis of a human or organism’s genome are starting to eradicate as the technology gets more advanced. Overall, this advancement has fueled other impacts as it is this new sector of data that is now creating more changes on the original advancement regarding the medical world. All the progression WGS has made is due to this advancement in the technology itself. In total, genome sequencing has also made many small advancements in different areas of research. However, it is this advancement to the medical system and the whole genome sequencing system itself that has been the most impactful in creating more opportunities and growth in the scientific climate today.

There are two methods that demonstrate how WGS or whole-genome sequencing is best applied. One of the foremost methods that whole-genome sequencing is used is predicting foodborne disease detection among the population. In 2013, CDC began using whole-genome sequencing as a new and more effective method to detect outbreaks caused by deadly bacteria. They found that using WGS they were able to detect more clusters of Listeria illnesses, solve more Listeria outbreaks while they are still small, link ill patients to likely food sources and identify new food sources of Listeria. There are multiple reasons for this. WGS can determine if illnesses had come from the same source such as a contaminated food processing facility. Using WGS, some outbreaks can be caught when as few as two people are ill. With the process of whole-genome sequencing, the detection can be done in one single procedure, increasing the rate of identifying outbreaks. WGS also provides more than one million of the bases that make up the genome, supplying a broad range of data to sort through compared to other methods that do not give such a big amount. Having such a large range of data and material to work with gives a great chance of accuracy, which is highly beneficial when dealing with bacteria and outbreaks. This leads to the second way WGS is best used. WGS has been a great discovery in the realm of forensic science. Forensic scientists work with small fragments of DNA making their work very difficult, however, with the use of WGS they can see a larger portion making their work a lot easier and more accurate. This type of genome sequencing is called genome amplification and is performed in many ways. Some of which include primer extension pre-amplification, degenerate oligonucleotide-primed polymerase chain reaction and multiple displacement amplification.  These methods are all very similar as they aim to repair the genome for inspection. WGS has been used to provide critical information from old and damaged pieces of DNA to scientists, helping solve certain forensic cases. There are many other impactful uses for WGS that are slowly developing and will hopefully appear soon in the scientific world.

Our understanding of the human genome and its role in health and disease has evolved tremendously in recent years. A decade ago, researchers were warily exploring the first reference human genome sequences, which cost more than $1 billion to build. Thousands of genomes, covering a wide diversity of ethnic origins, have already been sequenced. This rush in activity has been spurred by amazing advances in sequencing technology, which can now read a person’s whole genome (more than 6000 million bases) in days for less than $1,000, with costs expected to fall even further in the coming years. To make sense of genetic data, computational tools and databases must progress in unison with sequencing technology. Both technologies are advancing, allowing for more precise identification of existing ailments as well as the development of effective and targeted treatment methods. They also allow for the measurement of sickness predisposition, which may lead to more focused clinical monitoring and lifestyle changes. Even though our understanding of the human genome is far from complete, a rising body of data suggests that even our basic genetic knowledge may be valuable in the clinic. Genome sequencing is presently having the greatest impact on cancer categorization, diagnosing hereditary sickness, and predicting a patient’s likely response to treatment. Genomic medicine will revolutionize health care and the economy, particularly in a population with higher life spans. Individual economic advantages arise from genomically informed health restoration and, as a result, greater earning capacity. More accuracy in risk assessment decreases healthcare expenses for both people and the healthcare system by reducing inappropriate responses and treatments. By condensing genetic testing into a single study and educating patients throughout their lifetimes, genomic medicine has the potential to make genetic illness detection more efficient and cost-effective. Individual reactions to genetic information will vary, but customized risk identification may lead to more effective monitoring and prevention. The application of genetic information to technological advancements, medical research, and health care will have a substantial impact on the national economy, not only by cutting productivity losses and disease treatment costs, but also by spawning new medical information businesses.

Although whole-genome sequencing is still developing, it has already taken on many different industries. The possibilities of WGS are endless in all trades as it has already made its mark on many, for instance, forensics and medicine. There is a great future ahead for WGS and many opportunities to use this technology to benefit our society.

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