A quick Google search for genetic testing will point you towards all kinds of at-home kits, promising to reveal the […] The post Direct-to-consumer testing: The secrets in your genome appeared first on Front Line Genomics ..read more

Over the last few months, including just in the last week, there have been multiple reports on new treatments for […] The post Sickle Cell Disease: A 2024 Update appeared first on Front Line Genomics ..read more

ChatGPT has been taking the world by storm since its release in 2022. From coding assistance to book summaries, people have been using the chatbot to help access and understand information where a simple Google query might fall short. The technology seems to have endless potential, but how could it transform the life sciences field? When we first published this feature last year, we looked at some current and future applications of ChatGPT that could revolutionise the way we view research, whilst also considering the caveats of the tech. 12 months later, we’re revisting the topic to see what’s ..read more

As technology advances, we’re used to hearing about the latest in a seemingly never-ending list of ‘omics’. With each one hailed as more promising than the last, opportunities in the life sciences field have never been more abundant than they are now. Where does this leave genomics? Known to many as the original omic, genomics laid the groundwork for most other techniques. However, with many researchers experimenting with more novel technology these days, are simple genomics experiments becoming less exciting? In this feature, we explore the evolution of omics and assess whether genomics resea ..read more

Ever wondered what it’s like to volunteer in a scientific study? Donating blood, saliva or even simply answering a questionnaire can go a long way in assisting crucial research, and is a great way to influence the future of healthcare from outside the lab. For this feature, we spoke to a recent study participant, Dave, who took part in Our Future Health – a UK initiative aiming to recruit millions of people, whose data will inform research into preventative medicine and new treatments. We explore Dave’s experience, the impact it’s had on him, and what researchers can learn from a volunteer’s ..read more

A picture is worth 1,000 words, and there is perhaps no field where this is truer than in science. Behind the diagrams, there is a certain art that has enhanced scientific manuscripts for thousands of years. But what’s going on in the modern day, and how is controversy plaguing the field? In this feature, we explore the art of scientific illustration, and the developments that have changed the landscape. The art of science Figures are one of the most important parts of any scientific paper. Diagrams detailing complex concepts and structures date back millennia, and some of the most famous sci ..read more

Back in 2020, we covered an industry analysis of the role of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery. The report covered the period up to 2024 and suggested that the market was worth hundreds of millions of dollars. What’s going on in this field now that we’ve reached 2024? In this feature, we look at the emergence of AI as a tool in the drug discovery process and take a look into the future. How can AI be used in drug discovery? The traditional drug discovery journey is a tough one. Most drugs take anywhere from 10-15 years to make it to the clinic, cost millions (if not billions) of dollar ..read more

Despite our DNA only differing at around 0.1% of base pairs, human life is complex, unique and varied. Although this variation exists, genomics research has typically focused on homogeneous groups, erroneously assuming a one-size-fits-all approach. Over the years, many scientists have tried to address the lack of diversity in genomics research. Although a number of initiatives have been set up to serve this purpose, there is still much to be done, and it hasn’t always been done correctly. In this feature, we explore the importance of diversity in science, the initiatives aiming to solve this p ..read more

This feature is written using content from our recently published Liquid Biopsy report, which you can read in full by downloading here. Thanks to a wealth of publications demonstrating the exciting potential of liquid biopsy, the technique is now being evaluated in clinical trials to determine its true impact on oncological care. In this feature, we highlight major liquid biopsy trials in cancer, such as PATHFINDER and the NHS-Galleri study, and explore some of the limitations that are holding the technique back. Currently, hundreds of trials are underway to analyse the clinical utility of liq ..read more

At Front Line Genomics, we tend to focus on the health implications of scientific advancements. But one especially important use of genomic data is not found in the clinic; rather, it is used by investigators to solve crimes. But what are the wider implications of this? In this feature, we explore the role of genomics in criminal investigations, and the moral questions that have popped up as technology advances. How can genomics be used to investigate crimes? DNA has been known to be the genetic material of cells since the 1800s, but the use of this biological matter to solve crimes is a relat ..read more