Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

Variant interpretation and patient diagnosis

A short interview between the Educator Julia Foreman and Prof Helen Firth discussing patient diagnosis

In this video, Dr Julia Foreman and Prof Helen Firth, a consultant clinical geneticist, discuss the importance of interpreting genomic variants for patient diagnosis.

Prof Firth explains her research aims to improve the diagnosis of rare diseases using new technologies and integrating genomic resources into clinical practice and the challenges of identifying diagnostic variants among millions of genetic differences in individual genomes.

Accurate interpretation is crucial as it transforms a general diagnosis into a precise molecular understanding, enabling better patient care, access to treatments, support groups, and research studies, and assessing familial risks. Conversely, inaccurate interpretations can be detrimental to patients.

Do you have any experiences in this context to share with us?

This article is from the free online

Interpreting Genomic Variation: Overcoming Challenges in Diverse Populations

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now