How Next-Generation DNA Sequencing Can Change Our Lives
Dear Valued Shareholders,
It is an honor to address you at this year's annual meeting. As the Chairman of Genomic
Valley Biotech Limited, I'm thrilled to share with you something that's revolutionizing
our world: Next- Next-generation sequencing (NGS). NGS is an incredibly advanced
technology that allows us to read and understand the DNA or RNA within our bodies with
remarkable speed and precision. Think of it as a powerful tool that enables us to explore
the intricate blueprint of life, unlocking details that were once beyond our reach.
Today, I want to shed light on how NGS is transforming our everyday lives. From
advancing personalized healthcare and helping us understand our genetic makeup to solving
crimes and unraveling the mysteries of our environment, NGS is becoming an indispensable
part of our journey toward a better, healthier future.
NGS in Healthcare
First, let's talk about healthcare. NGS is making a big difference here.
o Imagine you have a health problem that doctors can't figure out. NGS can look at your
DNA and find out what's wrong, even when other tests can't.
o Personalized Medicine
One of the most exciting applications of NGS can do is personalized medicine.
Usually, doctors give everyone the same treatment, but NGS lets doctors create
treatments just for you based on your DNA.
For example, in cancer treatment, NGS can find out exactly what's wrong with your
cancer, so doctors can give you the best medicine for it.
Take the case of Emily Whitehead, the first child to receive CAR-T cell therapy for
leukemia. By sequencing her DNA, doctors identified specific genetic changes that made her
eligible for this revolutionary treatment, which has now saved countless lives.
| o Finding Disease Risks |
| NGS can also tell us if we're likely to get certain diseases. |
| Consider the story of Angelina Jolie, who opted for a preventive double
mastectomy after NGS revealed she carried a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, significantly
increasing her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. |
| This proactive approach to healthcare, made possible by NGS, allows
individuals to take preventive measures and live healthier lives. |
| o Rare Diseases |
| NGS is a lifesaver for people with rare diseases that are hard to
diagnose. |
| It can find the cause of these diseases quickly, so doctors can start the
right treatment early. |
| For instance, whole-exome sequencing, a type of NGS, has been
instrumental in diagnosing conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and certain types of
epilepsy. Early diagnosis means early intervention and better management of these
conditions, improving the quality of life for patients and their families. |
NGS in Understanding Our Genes |
| Now, let's talk about how NGS helps us learn more about our genes and the
world around us. |
| o The Human Genome Project |
| A big project called the Human Genome Project mapped all our genes, but
it took over ten years and a lot of money. |
| Now, NGS can do the same thing in just a few days and costs a fraction of
what it did. |
| This has opened up new possibilities for research and discovery. |
| o Understanding Differences |
| NGS helps scientists understand human diversity at a genetic level. |
| By comparing genomes from different populations, researchers can identify
genetic variations that contribute to diseases, physical traits, and even behaviors. |
| This knowledge is crucial for developing targeted treatments and
understanding how our genetics influence our health and well-being. |
| o Better Crops |
| Beyond human health, NGS is transforming agriculture by helping
scientists develop crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental
stresses. |
| This knowledge is then used to breed crops that can thrive in arid
regions, ensuring food security for millions of people. |
| This helps farmers grow more food, even in tough conditions. |
NGS in Solving Crimes |
| Moving on to forensics and criminology, NGS is becoming an invaluable
tool in solving crimes and ensuring justice. |
| o Crime Scenes |
| Imagine a crime scene where investigators find a small bloodstain.
Traditional DNA analysis might be able to match this to a suspect, but NGS can provide a
much more detailed genetic profile. This can include information about the suspect's
ancestry, physical traits, and even their predisposition to certain behaviors. |
| Such detailed genetic information can be crucial in solving complex
cases. |
| o Cold Cases |
| NGS is also helping to solve cold cases that have remained unsolved for
decades. |
| For example, in 2018, investigators used NGS to identify the Golden State
Killer, a serial killer and rapist who terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s. |
| By sequencing DNA from crime scene evidence and comparing it to online
genealogy databases, they were able to identify a suspect who had eluded capture for over
40 years. |
| o Freeing the Innocent |
| NGS is also helping free innocent people who were wrongly convicted. |
| The Innocence Project, an organization dedicated to freeing wrongfully
convicted individuals, has used NGS to re-examine old evidence and identify the true
perpetrators of crimes. |
| This not only brings justice to the innocent but also helps to improve
the integrity of our legal system. |
NGS for a Better Life |
| Ultimately, the widespread adoption of NGS is contributing to a higher
quality of life in numerous ways. |
| o Public Health |
| NGS helps track diseases and outbreaks. |
| During the COVID-19 pandemic, NGS was instrumental in sequencing the
virus's genome, which allowed researchers to track mutations and develop vaccines rapidly. |
| This capability is essential for responding to future pandemics and
protecting public health. |
| o Nutrigenomics |
| NGS is also paving the way for personalized nutrition, or nutrigenomics. |
| By analyzing an individual's genetic makeup, nutritionists can develop
personalized diet plans that optimize health and prevent diseases. |
| For example, some people might be genetically predisposed to higher
cholesterol levels. With this knowledge, they can adopt a diet that minimizes this risk,
leading to better long- term health outcomes. |
| o Mental Health |
| In the realm of mental health, NGS is shedding light on the genetic
factors that contribute to conditions like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. |
| By understanding the genetic underpinnings of these conditions,
researchers can develop more effective treatments and interventions, helping individuals
lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. |
The Future of NGS |
| Looking to the future, the potential applications of NGS are limitless.
As the technology continues to advance, we can expect even greater breakthroughs that will
transform our world in ways we can't yet imagine. |
| o Editing Genes |
| One exciting frontier is gene editing, particularly with technologies
like CRISPR-Cas9. NGS provides the detailed genetic information needed to make precise
edits to the genome. |
| This has the potential to cure genetic diseases at their source, offering
hope to millions of people worldwide. |
| o Synthetic Biology |
| In synthetic biology, NGS is enabling the creation of custom organisms
designed for specific purposes, such as producing biofuels or cleaning up environmental
pollutants. |
| By sequencing and editing the genomes of microorganisms, scientists can
engineer solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. |
| o Space Exploration |
| Believe it or not, NGS is even playing a role in space exploration. NASA
uses NGS to study how space travel affects the human body at a genetic level. |
| This research is crucial for ensuring the health and safety of astronauts
on long- duration missions, such as a journey to Mars. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Next-Generation Sequencing is a revolutionary technology that is
transforming healthcare, genomics, forensics, and many other fields. Its ability to
provide detailed genetic information is leading to breakthroughs that improve our quality
of life and open up new possibilities for the future. Whether it's through personalized
medicine, understanding our genetic diversity, solving crimes, or advancing public health,
NGS is making a profound impact on our world. As we continue to explore and harness its
potential, we can look forward to a future where our lives are healthier, safer, and more
enriched by the knowledge hidden within our DNA. As we look ahead, Next-Generation
Sequencing is opening up amazing possibilities that will change how we think about health,
science, and life itself. Let's embrace this exciting journey and work together to use the
power of our DNA to build a healthier and better future for everyone.