RB Sunrise Learns How Genomics Helps Babies In San Diego

On Tuesday, June 20, 2017,  Julie Reinke from the Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine spoke to the club members about the enhancements in diagnosing diseases in infants and newborns that genomics is making possible.  A research study made possible by a research grant and private donors has created the research lab at Rady Children's Hospital that has a human DNA sequencing machine that can sequence the DNA from a baby in as little as 36 hours! Using a database that is in the cloud, physicians can then take the data from the sequencing machine to make an accurate diagnosis of disease in newborns and infants.  

 

Julie spoke of several cases that provided an insight in to the benefits of this technology.  In one case a baby was admitted at the beginning of the week with a preliminary diagnosis that would require invasive surgery.  Because the baby's blood was used to get a serum sample the was used to do a rapid DNA sequencing study, the need for the surgery was literally cancelled at the last moment. While the anesthesiologist was taking a break before starting the anesthesia for the procedure, the information was conveyed to the surgical team that told them that the planned surgery which had the possibility of serious side effects was not needed.

 

The fact that the database information is in the cloud allows the researchers and doctors in the institute to be anywhere and be able to react quickly when the sequencing process has been completed.  In one case a physician was at Legoland with his family when he was notified the the information was ready.  Without leaving Legoland, he was able to make a diagnosis.

 

Raw data being gathered by the institute on economic impact of this technology is already sparking intense interest by insurance companies.  Although the testing procedure is expensive, the fact that early use of this diagnostic tool is proving to make possible a tremendous cost savings as well as making accurate treatment available more rapidly that ever before.

As word of the benefits of rapid genomic testing is shared with other hospitals around the country, the Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine is partnering with other hospitals around the country to provide the results of genomic testing at the institute.  Military hospitals around the world are also interested in using the institute to provide genomic testing results at all of their locations around the world.  

 

The San Diego Economic Development Corporation recently released a study about genomics in San Diego.  It revealed that San Diego is the number one location for genomics in the United States.  Here is a history of the progress in genomics research that includes the breakthroughs that occurred here is San Diego.

 

The Economic Development Corporation is committed to publicizing the fact that San Diego has more to offer than sunshine and beaches. The scientific research in the biotech industry here makes San Diego a leader in medical biotech research. This is good news for everyone who lives here in San Diego.