Innovation

Genomics in the cloud

Cloud is shaking up the world of genomics, presenting new opportunities for researchers to analyse data in more efficient ways.

15 February 2019

When you arrive at the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR), you’d be forgiven for thinking that your GPS has led you astray. Surely a state-of-the-art laboratory would be housed across the street at Groote Schuur hospital, the training ground for some of South Africa’s best medical professionals? But this isn’t the case. Housed in the same building as a cellphone repair shop, a hair and beauty salon and a Pick n Pay is a research lab that’s looking to analyse huge amounts of data in an attempt to better understand the human genome, as well as the common, and rare, ailments associated with it. And the centre has enlisted the help of cloud to do so.

At present, South Africa is lagging behind other countries in terms of genomics research, Dr Reinhard Hiller, MD at the CPGR, points out. When the first genome was sequenced many years ago, it cost around $3 billion. These costs have come down dramatically thanks to technological innovation, but the process is still pretty pricey (around $1 500), he says.

ITWeb Premium

Get 3 months of unlimited access
No credit card. No obligation.

Already a subscriber Log in