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Clinical research blog

Explore our blog for insights into the big questions in precision medicine and clinical research.

The genetic crystal ball: How polygenic risk scores predict disease risk and guide drug discovery

While lifestyle choices and environment can impact risk, genes are often what most affect how likely a person is to develop a disease. People commonly have different versions of a gene throughout a population, and some of these versions are associated with an increase in disease risk. Polygenic risk scores consider these gene variations and can provide a measurement of a person's risk for a specific disease.

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Boosting clinical trial patient recruitment: The role of patient recruitment vendors and platforms

Clinical trials are the cornerstone of medical advancements, allowing researchers to develop new treatments, therapies, and medications. However, a critical challenge in conducting successful clinical trials is patient recruitment. Efficient patient recruitment ensures that trials progress smoothly, providing results that benefit both the medical community and patients. To overcome this challenge, clinical trial patient recruitment companies and platforms play a vital role. In this blog, we’ll examine the world of clinical trial patient recruitment, exploring the role of various vendors and platforms.

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CRISPR and the future of healthcare: Promise and challenges

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems are programmable genome editing tools that can mediate site-specific DNA modifications. Although gene-editing technologies, including CRISPR, enable highly specific treatments tailored to individuals, their clinical success depends on overcoming issues like efficiency, gene correction specificity, and precise cell targeting. Here, we'll discuss the potential gene-editing technologies like CRISPR have for personalised therapies, as well as the challenges and regulatory landscape that affect its clinical uptake.

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Cracking the genetic code of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

The development of MASH, the advanced stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Genes like PNPLA3, TM6SF2, GCKR, MBOAT7, and HSD17B13 play pivotal roles in MASH susceptibility. Lifestyle factors, particularly diet and exercise, amplify the genetic influence on MASH risk.

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Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring therapies for maximum safety and efficacy

Pharmacogenomics, also known as pharmacogenetics, is a field of research dedicated to investigating how an individual's genetic makeup influences their response to medications.

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Webinar recap: The evolving landscape of liver disease

This webinar, hosted by Sano CEO Dr. Patrick Short and featuring Dr. Dimitar Tonev, an expert in liver disease and hepatology, sheds light on the latest developments in liver disease – particularly metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) – including significant changes and predictions for the future.

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Bolstering patient engagement to drive retention success

Keeping participants engaged in clinical research can be difficult. Here, we let the statistics tell the story:

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Connecting the dots: How phenotypic data enhances genetic insights in research 

Genetic data is at the heart of precision medicine. Understanding the influence of genetics on health has helped us to recognise risk factors for disease, predict how patients might respond to treatments, and develop targeted treatments. But how does this knowledge connect to phenotypic data – the expression of the interaction between genes and the environment?

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DPharm recap: Participant experience and incentives in focus

DPharm 2023 has come to a close, and as we reflect on the sessions and insights shared, two themes clearly stood out this year: The participant experience and incentives for participants. In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into these central areas of discussion.

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COVID-19 and genomic sequencing: Tracking variants and lessons for future pandemics

As COVID-19 continues to affect us all, it has become evident that our fight against the virus is not just about developing vaccines and therapeutics. Equally crucial is our ability to track the virus’s mutations and adaptations. Enter genomic sequencing – a technology that has taken centre stage in our ongoing battle against the pandemic. Here, we explore how genomic sequencing has been instrumental in tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants and its implications for future pandemics.

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