About the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative
Creating global impact through open science
At an exciting time of scientific discovery we’re bringing together the UK’s strengths in gene discovery and human functional genomics to improve our understanding of the mechanisms that underpin human disease.
The UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative (FGx) was launched in September 2024 following a £28.5 million investment from The Medical Research Council (MRC), in collaboration with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Functional genomics is a rapidly-evolving field of research and is already transforming care for patients by improving screening and diagnosis, care and personalised treatments. The Initiative will help to improve our understanding of the role that genetic variation plays in human disease.
The Initiative is a growing and dynamic network. Coordinated from the University of Exeter, it currently includes four research clusters with a focus on different scientific areas. The clusters, based in universities across the UK, are collaborations between academics, clinicians, industry partners and other universities. A new functional genomics screening laboratory has been established at the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI) in collaboration with AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge. We are establishing a data coordination centre at the University of Exeter to develop a platform for data sharing and develop novel tools for the analysis of functional genomic data.
Learn more about our structure
Our mission
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project at the end of the last century, researchers have discovered thousands of gene variants associated with human health and disease. Our mission now is to deliver on this promise by characterising the function of each gene to learn more about disease mechanisms and guide the development of new treatments.
We’ll do this through a collaborative network of open science to share, build on, and strengthen our collective expertise and understanding of human functional genomics. By combining our efforts, sharing technological advances, learning and data, we can make progress quicker, and at a new scale, with the potential to revolutionise treatments for human health and disease.
Our mission is to advance the understanding of disease mechanisms by decoding the functions of every gene in the human genome. By exploring the functional consequences of disease-associated genetic variation, we'll uncover critical insights to drive the development of novel treatments and interventions. We'll achieve this through an open, collaborative network spanning academia and industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology and data science approaches to accelerate discovery and improve human health.Professor Jonathan Mill, Director UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative
Using cutting-edge technologies
We use cutting-edge technologies to decode gene function and characterise the consequences of disease-associated genetic variation.
Our methods include:
- Gene-editing
- Disease-relevant cell-based model systems
- Spatial transcriptomics
- High-throughput multimodal screening
- Data science and Artificial Intelligence
Growing the network
Over the next few years we hope to grow the network by developing additional research clusters focusing on different diseases, models and technologies.
Sign up to become an associate member of the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative by contacting us and keep up to date with all of our news, upcoming seminars, training, funding opportunities and events by subscribing to our newsletter.
Join Us
We want to hear from researchers keen to contribute to a growing network of expertise and knowledge. Email us using the link below.