UW genomics program builds equity as part of NIH All of Us Research Program
Dr. Gail Jarvik, professor and head (Medical Genetics) and colleagues Deborah Nickerson and Evan Eichler (Genome Sciences) co-lead the UW genomics center in the All of Us program, one of three genome centers charged with sequencing participants' DNA samples.
The Northwest Genomics Center is part of the study’s genomic arm, responsible for decoding genetic samples contributed by participants. Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and The Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA are also genomics center partners.
As part of the study, samples are taken from large populations of participants and analyzed to discover connections between the DNA sequences and risk and treatments of certain health conditions.
"The All of Us Research Program is inviting one million people across the U.S. to help build one of the most diverse health databases in history." - All of Us
In addition to Genomics, All of Us employs several other programs providing vital services for the study –housing and management of the Biobank, Participant Technology Systems, Health Care Providers Organization, and participant Recruitment, Communication and Engagement partners.
Incorporated into each of these programs, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of the All of Us study.
All of Us "has had a focus from the start on enrollment of diverse populations," Jarvik said, "with the recognition that those populations are underserved in medicine, and in particular, in genomics."
From diversity in imagery and numerous language options used in marketing materials to community engagement partners in a variety of locations, the All of Us study seeks to add key representation to the bio samples available for genetics research.
By analyzing genetic patterns from samples from a large, diverse participant base, researchers are better able to understand previously hidden genetic markers for disease risk, prevention, and treatment. Patients and providers are then able to harness this information into individualized care plans, steering away from “one size fits all” approaches that are often based on data generated from more homogenous populations.
Jarvik and team were recently featured in the The Member Magazine of The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology article "Increasing diversity to improve health care — for all of us" detailing the study's contributions to inclusion and equity in medical research.
All of Us has recently begun returning genetic information to participants and seeks to make deidentified information available for biomedical researchers.
Jarvik is a professor in the Division of Medical Genetics with a dual appointment in the Department of Genome Sciences. She is the Arno G. Motulsky Endowed Chair in Medicine and an investigator in the Northwest Genomics Center.