New treatments

Genomics offers the hope of new treatments that may adjust and even correct defective genes.

Gene Therapy

Imagine for a moment that doctors could replace the defective genes in your cells with healthy ones, and in that way heal your genetic disorder. This fantasy is becoming a reality with gene therapy.

Currently, gene therapy is mostly experimental, with human clinical trials only in the research stages. But some patients with cystic fibrosis are already being treated this way. One day, such treatments may become routine.

Pharmacogenomics

What would you think of personalized medication, perfectly tailored to your genes? That's what pharmacogenomics promises!

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person's genetic makeup affects their response to drugs. The term comes from the words 'pharmacology' and 'genomics'.

By studying your genetic profile, doctors will one day be able to predict your reaction to a certain medication. This will allow them to prescribe the most effective dosage for you and reduce unwanted side effects. Through pharmacogenomics, drugs might one day be tailor-made for individuals and their conditions.

		A team led by Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto discovered the defective gene and molecular defect responsible for cystic fibrosis. It is estimated that one in every 2,500 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis. More about genomics researchers ...