The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is an independent, nonprofit academic research institution that serves as a multi-institutional hub for genomic research. Leveraging its strengths in whole genome sequencing and genomic analysis, NYGC leads advances in genomic science to drive novel biomedical discoveries.

This grant provides support for NYGC as it joins forces with Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) and New York Presbyterian Hospital to create the New York Women’s Genetics Center. The Women’s Genetics Center will begin offering whole genome sequencing through NYGC to Columbia OB/GYN patients as part of advanced clinical care. Simultaneously, it will develop the next generation of women’s clinical genomic testing and screening tools. Its goal is to become the center of excellence for reproductive genetics based on sequencing the whole genome and revolutionize the world of prenatal genetic testing.

Founded in 2011 as a partnership of renowned academic, medical and industry leaders, the New York Genome Center (NYGC) focuses on translating genomic research into clinical solutions for serious disease. In the not-too-distant future, scientists anticipate that every patient entering a hospital for the first time will have their genome sequenced, and the data stored in their electronic health records. Reducing the cost further is essential to spark the next wave of genomic discovery and its translation into clinical application for improved human health outcomes. This grant provides support for a revolutionary new instrument that will dramatically decrease the cost of sequencing and increase the scale and scope of research and clinical whole genome sequencing possibilities.

Founded in 2011 as a partnership of renowned academic, medical and industry leaders, the New York Genome Center (NYGC) focuses on translating genomic research into clinical solutions for serious disease. As part of this mission, NYGC is dedicated to understanding the relationship between DNA sequence variation and mechanisms for human diseases, including ALS. Funding from The Tow Foundation will support this effort by advancing the main goals of the Center for Genomics of Neurogenerative Disease at the NYGC. These goals include identifying mutations underlying neurodegenerative disease; integrating DNA sequence information with RNA sequencing data; developing a functional genomics program using mouse modes and IPS cell lines to understand the mechanistic basis of disease; create and maintain a publicly available data warehouse for ALS, DNA and RNA sequencing data; and conduct education and outreach including symposia, workshops and training.

For research designed to sequence both DNA and RNA samples from ALS patients to pinpoint the cellular mechanisms that have gone awry in ALS. This grant was matched by funds donated to the ALS Association from the Ice Bucket Challenge.