The Wellcome Trust and the human genome

The Wellcome Trust has made a substantial commitment to genome sequencing and genetics research. It is also funding research on the social impact of advances in research, and providing opportunities for the public to engage in informed debate on the application of new genetic knowledge.

Human genome sequencing

Through its support of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute , on the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus at Hinxton near Cambridge, the Trust is one of the major contributors to the Human Genome Project - the project to work out the sequence of the 3 billion letters that make up the 30 000 or so genes of the human genome.

• The Wellcome Trust and the Human Genome Project by Mark Walport (1/5/06)

Cancer genome project

Abnormalities in DNA sequence underlie the development of all human cancers. The Sanger Institute's cancer genome project - supported by the Trust - aims to identify those unknown genes associated with cancer. Their discovery will provide opportunities for drug development to combat the disease.

Functional genomics development initiative

To promote the use of genome sequence information to improve human and animal health, this initiative was established to support the development and application of experimental approaches and resources to assess gene function.

UK Biobank

The UK Biobank project will be the world's biggest resource for the study of the role of nature and nurture in health and disease. Up to half a million participants aged between 45 and 69 years will be involved in the study. The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and the Department of Health.

Genetics research

The Trust provides substantial support for genetics research throughout the country and overseas. Many articles covering genetics-based projects can be found in the Trust's publications, including 'Wellcome News' and the Wellcome Trust Annual Review .

• Beyond the genome by Sohaila Rastan (1/5/06)

Social impact of genetics research

Through schemes such as its Engaging Science and Biomedical Ethics programmes, the Wellcome Trust funds research and sponsors activities to stimulate public interest in science, inform and facilitate public debate on science and its application, and improve understanding of the social, ethical, legal and public policy implications of biomedical research.

• Social impact of the Human Genome Project by Clare Matterson (1/5/2006)