NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – NantHealth and the University of Utah have partnered to analyze the genomic profiles of at least 1,000 patients who have rare illnesses, and have certain conditions that occur in their families.
The partnership, which brings together NantHealth and researchers from the University of Utah and its Utah Genome Project, will focus on investigating the genetic causes of 25 conditions, including various solid cancers and leukemias, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, preterm birth, epilepsy, and other hereditary conditions.
Within the Utah Genome Project, launched in 2012, researchers are studying genetic signatures of disease and drug response in large families using the Utah Population database, a repository of genealogies and medical records maintained by the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute. The aim of the Utah Genome Project is to discover new disease-causing genes and advance novel genetic tests.
NantHealth will conduct the genomic sequencing, including analysis or germline and somatic specimens, using a platform that combines whole-genome and RNA sequencing.
"The Heritage 1K Project will expand and focus Utah Genome Project research discovery efforts to help patients prevent, diagnose, and successfully treat diseases that have afflicted their families," the partners said in a statement.