Targeting Disease

activities Build a Bacteria! Discovery bacteria diversity and get creative making your own model!

activities My career in genomics: career profiles Explore the diversity of career pathways into genomics through this collection of career profiles

stories Disease Detectives: using phylogenetics to track disease outbreaks Phylogenetics is the study of the evolutionary relationships between organisms, based on their genomes - now used to track down disease outbreaks globally.

facts What is Genomic Surveillance? Genomic surveillance involves sequencing the genetic material of pathogens and identifying changes linked to the origins or characteristics of a disease.

stories Genomic surveillance in action Genomic surveillance is not new, but developments in the availability, speed and cost of technology mean it has become an essential tool in tackling epidemics.

facts What are Covid-19 variants and why is genomic surveillance of them important? Covid variants arise when mutations in SARS-CoV-2 virus affect how infectious or deadly it is. Genomic surveillance helps track new variants and their impact.

facts What is Covid-19? Coronavirus disease 2019, often called Covid, or Covid-19, is a new viral disease which caused a global pandemic from the end of 2019 into the 2020s.

stories Tracking ‘superbugs’ Infectious diseases can spread quickly in a hospital environment, particularly if the pathogen that causes the disease is resistant to the drugs relied on to fight it. Genomics may be able to help track these resistant pathogens and nip them in the bud before they become widespread…

stories Science in the time of cholera Although cholera is commonly thought to be a disease of the Victorian era, it is still a significant problem in many areas of the modern world. Genomics research is helping to bring us closer to understanding how we may eliminate it once and for all.

stories Defeating the little dragon The Guinea worm is a water-transmitted parasite that develops over a year in its host before painfully emerging from the skin. It is hoped that it will soon become the first parasite to be eradicated but there are a few challenges to overcome first…

stories How is genomics being used to tackle neglected tropical diseases? Neglected tropical diseases affect the poorest of the world’s populations but relatively little is known about their biology. Genomics is now providing insight into these diseases and enabling scientists to develop new strategies to prevent and treat these debilitating diseases.

facts What are helminths? Helminths are worm-like parasites that survive by feeding on a living host to gain nourishment and protection, sometimes resulting in illness of the host. There are a variety of different helminths from the very large to the microscopic.

stories The ongoing battle against drug resistant malaria Resistance to antimalarial drugs is one of the biggest problems currently facing malaria control. Recent studies looking at the genome of the malaria parasite could help scientists understand how drug resistance has evolved – and develop the tools needed to keep it in check.

stories A weapon against malaria Malaria parasites have a complex life cycle and high variability which has made the development of a vaccine a real challenge. Currently the most advanced vaccine candidate is RTS,S.

stories Malaria: the master of disguise Sequencing the genome of the malaria parasite has revealed interesting clues as to how it is able to evade the human immune system for long enough to cause disease.

facts What is schistosomiasis? Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is transmitted through contact with fresh water contaminated with the parasite’s larvae.

facts What is African sleeping sickness? African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly. It gets its nickname ‘sleeping sickness’ because symptoms can include a disturbed sleep pattern.

facts How is malaria treated and prevented? Malaria is an entirely preventable and treatable disease if tackled early enough. However, there are growing problems with drug resistance that are posing a threat to the global fight against malaria.

videos My career in genomics: cancer biology In this film Niki Patel talks about her research looking at the genetics of cancer. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

videos My career in genomics: immune diseases In this film Gosia Trynka talks about her research looking at the effect of genetic changes on the immune system. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

videos My career in genomics: antibiotic resistance In this film Christine Boinett talks about her research looking at antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

facts What is malaria? Spread by mosquitos, malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and a global public health challenge.

videos BRAF: From Gene to Cancer Therapy (video) This film tells the story of how DNA sequencing was used to identify that the gene BRAF is commonly mutated in malignant melanoma, and how this has led to the development of a targeted drug against the mutation.

stories How is pharmacogenomics being used? In a small number of cases, doctors are able to use pharmacogenomics in their treatment of patients.

stories Pharmacogenomics and cancer Pharmacogenomics is a specific kind of genetic testing that offers key advantages for doctors trying to choose the best drugs for their patients.

stories Adverse drug reactions An adverse drug reaction is when a medication given as instructed and at a normal dose has an unwanted or harmful effect on a patient.

facts What are infectious diseases? Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites and can spread between individuals.

facts What is gene therapy? Gene therapy is when DNA is introduced into a patient to treat a genetic disease. The new DNA usually contains a functioning gene to correct the effects of a disease-causing mutation.

videos Cancer: Rogue Cells This animation describes how cancer grows within the body and how different factors can lead to cancer development.

facts What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is a complex disease that is influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.

facts What is Salmonella? Salmonella are a group of bacteria that cause a wide spectrum of diseases. They are able to cause significant morbidity, and in some case, mortality, in both humans and animals.

activities Malaria Challenge: Managing Malaria Take on the role of a programme manager for a community at high risk of malaria and, using the information provided, work out the best strategy for eliminating the disease from the area.

activities Malaria Challenge: Funding Decisions If you were given £20 million to eradicate malaria, how would you spend it? In this activity you get to find out.

activities Malaria Challenge: The Big Debate What is the best way to eradicate malaria? In this activity you will explore how the different stages of the malaria life cycle can be targeted by different treatments and prevention strategies.

activities Contamination Detectives Play detective and uncover how microbes spread around the surfaces you touch if you don’t wash your hands properly!

activities MRSA Gene Hunt Explore antibiotic resistance by taking a closer look at the genomes of two strains of the bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus.

activities Balloon Bugs Discover more about the basic shape and structure of different bacteria through this balloon modelling activity.

activities Handshake Hazard Discover how microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, can be spread from person to person.

activities Sneeze Zone Through this fun activity you can learn more about the spread of microbes and their potential to infect people.

activities Build a Bug Explore the features of two closely related subspecies of the bacteria, Salmonella. Find out how the differences in their genomes results in their ability to cause two very different diseases.

activities BRAF: From Gene to Cancer Therapy Take on the role of a genome researcher and look at real cancer DNA datasets, taken from cancer patients, to find areas of mutation in the BRAF gene.

activities KRAS: Cancer Mutation Use real genomic data to find mutations in a gene associated with pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancers.

facts What is achondroplasia? Achondroplasia is a genetic disorder affecting bone development that results in short-limb dwarfism.

facts What is Down's syndrome? Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra copy of chromosome 21.

facts What is HIV? HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and, if left untreated, causes AIDS.

facts What is tuberculosis? Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacterium that mainly affects the lungs to cause a persistent and, occasionally bloody, cough.

facts What are Streptococcal infections? Streptococcal infections are any type of infection caused by the group of bacteria Streptococcus.

facts What are Staphylococcal infections? Staphylococcal infections are a group of infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus. Infection causes a range of symptoms, from skin conditions to food poisoning.

facts What is antibiotic resistance? Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria develop the ability to survive exposure to antibiotics designed to kill them or stop their growth.

facts What is genetic testing? Genetic testing is an incredibly useful tool for identifying changes or mutations in DNA that could lead to genetic disease.

facts Is cancer a genetic disease? Cancer is the most common human genetic disease. The transition from a normal cell to a malignant cancer is driven by changes to a cell’s DNA, also known as mutations.

facts What is dementia? Dementia is used to describe a general decline in all areas of mental ability. It is caused by brain injury or diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

facts What is Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer’s is a disease that slowly and progressively destroys the brain. It is also described as a complex disease because it can be influenced by a range of genetic and environmental factors.

facts What is a complex disease? Many common diseases are influenced by a combination of multiple genes and environmental factors. These diseases are referred to as complex diseases.

facts What is sickle cell anaemia? Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells develop abnormally.

facts What is Huntington's disease? Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that usually develops in middle to late adult life.

facts What is hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer? Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer is a rare condition, but it is the commonest inherited syndrome that predisposes sufferers to early-onset colorectal cancer.

facts What is hereditary haemochromatosis? Hereditary haemochromatosis is also known as iron overload disease. It is an inherited disorder in which iron accumulates in the blood because too much is absorbed by the intestines.

facts What are haemophilia A & B? Haemophilia A and B are two disorders characterised by slow and inefficient formation of blood clots leading to prolonged bleeding and spontaneous internal bleeding.

facts What is familial adenomatous polyposis? Familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited cancer syndrome that predisposes patients to early-onset colorectal cancer, and some other cancers.

facts What is muscular dystrophy? Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy are two inherited muscle-wasting diseases caused by mutations in the same gene on the X chromosome.

facts What is a genetic disorder? A genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by a change, or mutation, in an individual’s DNA sequence.

facts What are single gene disorders? Single gene disorders are caused by DNA changes in one particular gene, and often have predictable inheritance patterns.

facts What is a chromosome disorder? A chromosome disorder results from a change in the number or structure of chromosomes.

facts What is Fragile-X syndrome? Fragile X is a common inherited syndrome that causes intellectual disability. It affects one in every 2,000 males and one in every 6,000-8,000 females.

facts What is pharmacogenomics? Pharmacogenomics is the tailoring of drug treatments to people’s genetic makeup, a form of ‘personalised medicine’.

debates Is germline gene therapy ethical? Germline gene therapy targets the reproductive cells, meaning any changes made to the DNA will be passed on to the next generation. Consequently, the practice has dramatically divided opinion.

stories Treating the bubble babies: gene therapy in use Some children with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a genetic disorder characterised by a reduced number of immune cells, have been treated using gene therapy.

interactives Malaria Challenge In Malaria Challenge you can explore the different stages of malaria and how scientists are trying to find new ways of preventing and treating this deadly tropical disease.

facts What is cystic fibrosis? Cystic fibrosis is a relatively common genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick, sticky mucus.

videos Malaria: An Introduction This video introduces you to the disease malaria, taking you through the life cycle of the parasite that causes it and why it is such a huge problem in the developing world.

Targeting Disease

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