GetGenome

GetGenome is a UK-based nonprofit organization and registered charity (charity number 1201069) dedicated to providing equitable access to genomics technology and genomics-related training and education. The organization focuses on empowering early-career scientists, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries, by facilitating access to genome sequencing services and supporting genomics research and education.

History and Background

GetGenome was established to address the inequities in access to genomics technologies, especially prevalent in the Global South. Despite the rapid decrease in the cost of DNA sequencing technologies in many high-income countries, many researchers in less-resourced regions face prohibitive costs and technical challenges that hinder their scientific progress. The motivation for GetGenome's creation was notably inspired by a 2020 event when a Tunisian PhD student encountered issues due to limited access to genome sequencing, which could have resolved technical problems earlier and more effectively.

Mission and Activities

GetGenome's mission is to provide affordable and equitable access to genomics technologies and training, thereby enabling researchers without local sequencing infrastructure to engage in post-genomic research stages without incurring prohibitive costs. The organization encourages open science practices by helping researchers deposit genomic data, share findings on open platforms, and build networks within the genomics community.

Programs and Initiatives

• Genome Sequencing Calls: GetGenome runs various genome sequencing campaigns focused on non-pathogenic, culturable bacteria and plasmid sequencing. These campaigns often target specific geographic regions such as Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America, providing sequencing opportunities primarily to researchers in those areas.

• GGPlasmidSeq: A program offering free plasmid sequencing services to researchers in over 100 eligible countries. This initiative helps scientists quality-check plasmids before conducting long-term experiments.

• Training and Education: Alongside sequencing services, GetGenome offers genomics-related training and educational resources, aiming to build capacity and expertise within lower-resourced research communities.

Impact

Since its founding, GetGenome has facilitated the sequencing of approximately 400 organisms and plasmids and supported close to 100 researchers across nine countries, contributing to significant advancements in scientific research where access to sequencing was previously limited. The organization is based at The Sainsbury Laboratory in the UK and continues to expand its network and influence globally.

Governance and Registration

GetGenome is registered as a charity in England and Wales under charity number 1201069. As a nonprofit, it operates with a commitment to promoting equitable access to genomics resources and supporting the global scientific community, particularly researchers in under-resourced environments.

See also

• Genomics
• Genome sequencing
• Scientific capacity building in low- and middle-income countries

This article summarizes the mission, activities, and impact of GetGenome, a UK nonprofit organization focused on democratizing access to genomics technology and training worldwide[1][2][3][4][5].

[1] https://getgenome.net [2] https://getgenome.net/frequently-asked-questions [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5201303/charity-overview [4] https://www.tsl.ac.uk/news/getgenome-story-inspires [5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11357086/