The U.K. has released a huge repository of children’s genomic data after sequencing blood samples from three large cohorts recruited at birth and followed across three decades. The power of the data is amplified by the large volume of longitudinal health information, biological samples and responses to surveys and questionnaires that has been provided by participating families. Before this, large-scale publicly available genome sequences were limited to adult cohorts, and the only childhood genome sequence data was from children with rare diseases.

A large-scale study cross-referencing genomic data from multiple sources with primary care health records has identified genetic overlaps in 72 chronic diseases, opening the way for a more holistic approach to researching, treating and preventing multimorbidity.

A U.K. study has uncovered distinctive genetic drivers of type 2 diabetes in South Asians that lead to faster development of complications, the need for earlier insulin replacement therapy and a weaker response to some widely prescribed drugs. That points to the need to refine care pathways. But in addition, the research provides a potent illustration of how the under-representation in genomics databases of people who are not of white European origin can skew results and be a source of discrimination.