📖Overview
Welcome to Genomes.io docs. This is a live document that will be updated as Genomes.io evolves. Here you will find all the information that you need to know about the project.
What is Genomes.io?
Genomes.io is a genomic data security company co-founded by Dr Mark Hahnel and Aldo de Pape in 2018. We are a UK-registered company and we operate from London, UK.
The expectations of research organizations, institutions, and customers are increasing, and GenomesDAO is built from the ground up to meet those expectations. In order to increase the democratization and decentralization of genomic studies, we focus on combining cutting-edge technologies such as AMD’s SEV, blockchain and decentralized finance.
What is the problem?
The incumbent genomic data companies today not only come up short in their technological standards, but more crucially in their lack of data sovereignty and privacy protections. Essentially, their business model allows them to cover losses on providing users with DNA testing and reports by seizing ownership of your data (in de-identified databases) and selling it to third-parties that want access. 23andMe and their contemporaries often use genotyping that only analyses 0.02% of your genome. In their model, consumer data is amassed into DNA databases owned and controlled by private companies. These companies have already sold access to their database to large pharmaceutical companies in multimillion dollar deals. They have experienced data breaches and have even shared the data with law enforcement. Genomes.io and our community, the GenomesDAO makes these injustices a thing of the past.
How are we solving it?
Whole Genome Sequencing
We work with trusted, industry leading DNA sequencing providers from around the globe to provide clinical quality (30x) whole genome sequencing for our users. This analyses 100% of your genome, giving you full ownership.
Secure Encrypted Data
We harness secure encrypted virtualisation - encrypted state (SEV-ES) technology to create fully encrypted 'vaults' for user DNA data. This provides secure cloud storage of DNA data, owned and controlled by the user.
Blockchain Technology
We leverage the Ethereum blockchain to provide a transparent and immutable audit log of access to your genome. This means our users can be sure their DNA data is stored and shared in exactly the way they decide.
Who is it for?
For Individuals
We offer the general public access to clinical-grade, 30x whole genome sequencing, personalized genomic reports based on this data, and secure data storage in their personal DNA Vault. Using the Genomes mobile app, our users control third-party access to their DNA Vault by approving each query of their vault. Put simply, each query asks a question of your genome. The only information released is the answer to that question. This innovation allows vault holders to get paid for contributing data to research, without ever losing privacy or giving up ownership of their genome. Not only that but you also gain direct access to insights that your genome provides.
For Organisations
We offer organisations our DNA Vault technology to create secure and participant-owned genomic databases. Genomes.io allows rare disease patient organisations, population sequencing initiatives, healthcare providers to contribute genomic data of their participants to drive research and innovation. This is done with a responsible model that ensures private and transparent data access, fully informed repeat consent, and equitable compensation.
For Researchers
We offer researchers (e.g. biotech companies, academia) the ability to easily query databases of relevant and high quality genomic datasets. Researchers can use this to understand the causes of disease and to develop new drugs. In our model, genomic data can be made available to researchers to supercharge medical innovation, but without compromising the privacy or ownership rights of individuals.
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