The Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine Laboratory

The ongoing genomics revolution has resulted in an exponential growth in genomic data. This is expected to lead to a full sequencing of 1.5 million species in the coming years – a one-thousand-fold increase as compared with currently available sequences. This development makes it possible, for the first time, to fully understand the evolution of every human gene, its co-evolution with other genetic elements, and the core genetics of super-traits (cancer resistance, extreme life span, disease resistance, etc…).

 Figure 1: the genomics revolution                       

 will lead to massive sequencing of every available species

Using a million genomes we have:

• Developed a machine learning and comparative genomics tools to help predict the function of thousands of unannotated genes associating them with genetic diseases and cancers.
• Helped in understating the open question of missing heredity in breast cancer to improve diagnostic, prognostics and treatment.
• Used our phylogenetic profiling system to reposition existing drugs for use in novel therapies.
• Developed a novel language for evolution & evolutionary motifs. 
  
   
  We are working on curing:
  RETT syndrome, hereditary breast cancer as well as general cancers, myotonic dystrophy, rare (orphan) diseases.
  
  
  We are working on understanding:
  The evolutionary process, phylogenetic profiling, ageing, incomplete penetrance, cannabis, natures superpowers, synthetic biology.
  
  
  Tools and organisms we use:
  Bioinformatics, machine learning, comparative genomics, C. elegans, cell cultures, plants, optimism 
  
   
  
  Our Approach: "Big picture projects": 
  
  Genes in Disease: More than 10% of protein-coding genes in humans (~2,000) remain unannotated, additionally, only 25% of the currently annotated genes have conclusive annotation. Many gene pathways are not fully mapped, and some pathways have yet to be discovered. We don't fully understand the genetic causes of most diseases or have a drug that adequately addresses patient needs. 
  
   
  
  

Figure 2: Currently we only understand small fraction of the genes functions Or the genetic cause for diseases. in addition, only to small number of diseases we have adequate drug.

Superpowers in Nature: Various eukaryotes have developed extraordinary traits such as genetic resistance to cancer and hypoxia, increased life span, the ability to hibernate or arrest metabolic activity altogether, regenerate lost tissue, and adapt to extreme environments. Comparing the genomes of these and other species can reveal genetic-phenotypic-environmental crosstalk and lead to genomic approaches to tackle fundamental bio-medical challenges.

Figure 3: many genes in nature developed "super traits" like resistance to cancer and extreme life span.