US Air Force Studies Exome Sequencing

As you know, Veterans Day is coming up on November 11. It’s a time for us to remember the courageous military veterans who’ve served in the US Armed Forces. The US Air Force, in cooperation with many academic institutions, has launched a two-year study called MilSeq that will examine the incorporation of genomic data into active duty members’ daily care.

The study will monitor exome sequencing and its relationship to routine care. An exome contains all the protein-coding genes in a genome (genetic material of an organism). Exome sequencing involves two steps: (1) selecting only the DNA that encodes proteins and (2) sequencing the DNA. The goal of exome sequencing is to identify genetic variants that alter the protein sequences, leading to diseases.

Major Cubby Gardner, joint principal investigator of the study, noted that it’s important to understand the benefits and challenges of administering genomic medicine in the military. The study aims to explore how sequencing affects the perception of fitness for duty, how the use of healthcare for the individual will be affected after the study, and how decision making among military clinicians may be affected.

Director of the Genome2People Research Program, Robert Green is co-investigator of the study and a professor at Harvard Medical School. He’s hoping that conducting the study before exome sequencing becomes the norm around the country will allow active duty military personnel to benefit from genomic medicine research. Over the course of two years, the study will involve various internal Air Force institutions as well as researchers at Harvard Medical School, VA Boston Healthcare System, Ohio State University, Baylor College of Medicine, Partners Personalized Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, and The Broad Institute.

Study participants will include 75 active duty, healthy Air Force members and 15 active duty healthcare providers in family practice, internal medicine, and primary care. Air Force members will consent to having their exomes sequenced. The doctors will learn about genomics and onsite genetic counseling support and will receive results of the exome sequencing which will be entered into the Air Force members’ electronic medical record.

The exome sequencing report will include information on pathogenics, risks for complex diseases, and responses to drugs. Study researchers will track how well the doctors interpreted the reports and whether or not having this information as part of the active Air Force members’ medical records affected their behavior. When evaluating the Air Force members, researchers will be looking at things like lifestyle, health, behavior, and family members.

As a life sciences tools and service provider, Lifecycle Biotechnologies is always interested in amazing medical research from around the country. When you’re paying tribute to military veterans this Veterans Day, remember those who served in the US Armed Forces and everything the military has accomplished for this country. Lifecycle is excited to see what MilSeq discovers. The best medical research requires the best tools and services. To discover how we can help your company do the absolute best job it possibly can, contact us today.