How studying our genes has advanced cancer medicine

In 10 seconds? Cancer medicine has been revolutionized by discoveries in genomics research, like next-generation sequencing. As the field advances, researchers are addressing challenges and developing best practices.

What do you mean by sequencing? Let’s start from square one. Our DNA is composed of four building blocks (also called bases) that are designated as guanine, adenine, thymine, and cytosine, or G, A, T, and C. Different combinations of these bases serve as the recipes for all the proteins in our bodies (Proteins do most of the work in our cells and are necessary for all life). ’Genetic sequencing’ uses technology to provide readouts (for example, “GAAATTCCGGATCG”) of the DNA sequence inside our cells (AKA the genome). Here, we're discussing how these genetic readouts are helping healthcare professionals better care for cancer patients.