Research and Technology

07.09.20

Genetic studies reveal what influences blood and blood diseases

New research from two large-scale genetic studies have managed to identity most of the genetic variation which influences medically important characteristics of blood cells, significantly increasing our understanding of blood and blood diseases.

Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge and scientists from over 100 research institutions worldwide identified more than 7,000 regions of the human genome which control blood cell characteristics.

Published last week in peer-reviewed journal Cell, the studies show for the first time how an individual’s genetic makeup is a contributing factor to the development of blood diseases, bringing the medical profession a step closer to using genetic scoring to predict personal risk of developing blood disorders.

As part of the studies, researchers analysed anonymised genomic and healthcare data from UK Biobank, as well as other studies which comprised of participants with European, East Asian and African American ancestry.

A total of 7,193 distinct genetic regions associated with 29 blood cell measurements – the largest cell of correlated genetic regions identified yet – and developed scores to assess the potential for predicting blood cell traits. A number of these polygenic scores proved useful in predicting a patient’s predisposition to complex diseases, including blood disorders.

Dr Dragana Vuckovic from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the NIHR Blood and Transfusion Research Unit in Donor Health and Genomics at the University of Cambridge, said: “In this study, we have been able to show how a person’s genetic predisposition to certain blood-related measurements, as indicated by their polygenic score, can predispose them to blood disease. If a person is more genetically predisposed to low haemoglobin, for example, then they are more likely to develop anaemia.”

Dr Vuckovic was one of the joint first authors of the research study.

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

latest healthcare news

Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

11/09/2020Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

As part of Organ Donation Week, NHE’s Matt Roberts spoke with our Managing Director Roy Rowlands about the importance of raising aware... more >
Grant funding awarded for unique Nurse Innovation Fellow position

11/09/2020Grant funding awarded for unique Nurse Innovation Fellow position

Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a grant from the Burdett Trust for Nursing to fund a unique Nursing Innovation Fell... more >
National trial to investigative best treatment for childhood asthma

11/09/2020National trial to investigative best treatment for childhood asthma

An innovative new £1.5m national clinical trial looking at finding the best treatment for childhood asthma has been funded by NIHR. Le... more >

editor's comment

26/06/2020Adapting and Innovating

Matt Roberts, National Health Executive Editorial Lead. NHE May/June 2020 Edition We’ve been through so much as a health sector and a society in recent months with coronavirus and nothing can take away from the loss and difficulties that we’ve faced but it vital we also don’t disregard the amazing efforts we’ve witnessed. Staff have gone above and beyond, whole hospitals and trusts have flexed virtually at w... read more >

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us th... more > more last word articles >

the scalpel's daily blog

Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

11/09/2020Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

As part of Organ Donation Week, NHE’s Matt Roberts spoke with our Managing Director Roy Rowlands about the importance of raising awareness for the subject and having these conversations; as families, organisations and individuals. We don’t often like to think about the end, but as Organ Donation Week – which has run... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental health and wellbeing. As the best rugby players in the world repr... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

13/06/2019Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

Nurses have been named as the most under-appreciated public sector professionals as new research reveals how shockingly under-vauled our NHS, edu... more >
Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

10/06/2019Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

Peter Skitt, county director and commissioner for Ceredigion Hywel Dda University Health Board, looks ahead to the new integrated care centre bei... more >

interviews

Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

11/09/2020Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

As part of Organ Donation Week, NHE’s Matt Roberts spoke with our Managing Director Roy Rowlands about the importance of raising aware... more >
Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual conference, Matt Hancock highlighted what he believes to be the three... more >
NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

17/09/2019NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

Over 20 years ago, a Teesside hospital cleaner put down her mop and took steps towards her midwifery dreams. Lisa Payne has been delivering ... more >
How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

24/10/2018How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

A dedicated national social care service could be a potential solution to surging demand burdening acute health providers over the winter months,... more >

health service focus

View all News