Over 3,100 families take part in early genetic testing study

Bristol NHS Group has helped over 3,100 families to take part in a national project to detect rare but treatable genetic conditions at birth.

(c) digitale.de/Unsplash

(c) digitale.de/Unsplash

The Generation Study at St Michael's Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), is part of a nationwide effort to sequence the genomes of 100,000 newborn babies.

St Michael's Hospital made history as the first site in England to recruit families and complete testing for the Generation Study, beginning in October 2024. The study is led locally by Dr Tracie Miles and Dr Caroline Platt at UHBW, alongside Dr Christy Burden at NBT.

The Generation Study is led by Genomics England in partnership with NHS England. It involves collecting a small blood sample from the umbilical cord shortly after birth for whole genome sequencing. Participation is entirely voluntary and so far, more than 40,000 women across the country have signed up to the study.

Moving data where it's needed

Moving data where it's needed

18 March 2026

Marlen Suller, managing director for EMEA Clinical Diagnostics at Magentus, says the National Cancer Plan cannot succeed without connected data infrastructur...

AI and robot pilot to provide earlier detection of lung cancer

By Lee Peart 27 January 2026

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is pioneering earlier lung cancer diagnosis through an AI and robot pilot.

NHS hospitals trial 15-minute blood test for life-threatening conditions in children

By Liz Wells 27 October 2025

A 15-minute blood test, which can fast-track the diagnosis of children with potentially life-threatening conditions, is being trialled by the NHS this winter.


Popular articles by Lee Peart