The National Human Genome Research Institute has announced that it will fund a new four-year genome sequencing program for $416 million in its latest try at moving genomics into the clinic, reports ScienceInsider's Jocelyn Kaiser. NHGRI's existing three major sequencing centers — at the Broad Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, and Baylor College of Medicine — will receive a total of about $319 million, Kaiser says. NHGRI will also fund some smaller centers, including some focused on Mendelian disorders that will share $40 million over four years. "Another $40 million will go for five multidisciplinary teams — including scientists, physicians, ethicists, and patients — to explore using genome sequencing as part of routine medical care," Kaiser adds. "They will examine questions such as how to add genomics to health records, and when to tell patients about unexpected genomic findings not related to the disease they're being treated for." The rest of the money will be used to fund software development for data analysis.
Daily Scan sister publications GenomeWeb Daily News and Clinical Sequencing News have more on the new initiative here and here.