A genome holds folded in it all the information necessary for the development of an individual. It is the storage medium of life.

A human genome consists of DNA, a string of 6 billion nucleotides or bases of four different kinds (T, C, G and A). Small differences in our individual sequences are responsible for our different appearances and also our different predisposition to diseases and responses for treatment.

Ten years after the publication of the first draft sequence of the human genome we can now study routinely our individual genomes!

Analysing genomes consists of determining the order of the four bases in a genome. This allows to identify signatures within a genome for the trait under study. This information allows to determine the mechanisms of disease which in turn can be used for example to develop new and better treatments of disease.

Over the last five years new rapid DNA sequencing methods have become available. Second generation sequencing technologies are used to identify somatic variants and rearrangements in cancer, to sequence different organisms, to discover new infectious agents, to determine gene variants that predispose to disease, to create a catalogue of human genetic variation, to profile gene expression in different tissues, to characterize evolutionary relationships of ancient genomes, among many other applications.

At the CNAG we can currently sequence 250 gigabases per day (250,000,000,000 bases) and generate a complete human genome at 30-fold coverage in less than one day.

cnag news & events

3rd READNA Symposium on Advanced Nucleic Acid Analysis

width: '450px', height: '426px'

28th September 2012
PRBB Auditorium


The symposium will provide an overview of key technological breakthroughs achieved during the 4 years of the READNA project. Key concepts that will be presented include nanopore sensing, pioneering techniques for DNA manipulation, analysis within nanofluidic devices and single cell sequencing within tissue samples.

width: '2019px', height: '1272px'
cnag news

CRG and CNAG join forces to boost genomics research

The CRG and the CNAG have signed a collaboration agreement with the aim of boosting research in the field of genomic analysis. The first consequence of the signing of this agreement, is that the Structural Genomics Group of the CNAG, will also join the Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer programme of the CRG.

width: '1573px', height: '828px'
cnag news

CNAG and CERCA: strategic alliance

The CNAG and CERCA – Centres de Recerca de la Generalitat – have signed an agreement to facilitate access to scientific and technological services offered by the CNAG in the field of genomic sequencing and analysis.