Campus News
Symposium Celebrates 25 Years of Genomics Breakthroughs
The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute celebrated the 25 year anniversary of the human genome draft sequence and UCSC Genome Browser with a symposium celebrating the future of genomics in medicine
A member of the UCSC Braingeneers group talks with symposium attendees about their research with brain organoids. Photo Credit: Anusha Ravishankar.
Twenty-five years ago, UC Santa Cruz played a pivotal role in what has been called the “moon‑landing” of modern biology: assembling the first working draft of the human genome. The first time people around the world glimpsed their genetic code, it was hosted on UC Santa Cruz servers. Today, hundreds of thousands of clinicians, researchers, and educators continue to use the university’s UCSC Genome Browser to explore genomic data on humans and thousands of species of animals, plants, and viruses.
On May 16, the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute marked the anniversary of the first sequenced human genome with a symposium titled “Sequence to Solutions: Creating a Healthier World.” Scientists, students, supporters, and community members gathered at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center not only to honor a legacy of cutting-edge genomics science at UCSC, but also to look ahead to the research and breakthroughs that will define the next 25 years.
The half-day event featured a visionary keynote lecture, an in-depth panel discussion, and interactive demonstrations. Opening remarks from Chancellor Cynthia Larive and Dean Alexander Wolf reflected on the university’s pioneering history in genomics and its lasting commitment to innovation and open science before Genomics Institute Scientific Director David Haussler, a key figure in the university’s role in the Human Genome Project, introduced keynote speaker Dr. Euan Ashley, chair of Stanford’s Department of Medicine.
An inspiring look at the future of genomics in medicine
In his talk, Ashley noted that dramatic improvements in the speed and cost of genome sequencing have allowed it to become more prevalent in clinical settings. He described a collaboration with UC Santa Cruz that helped set a world record for sequencing a human genome in just over five hours. To illustrate the scale of that progress compared to 25 years ago, he noted that it would be the equivalent of a Ferrari’s top speed increasing from 199 mph to 32 million mph.
The main focus of Ashley’s talk was not on technological feats, however, but on the human impact of genomics. He shared stories from his clinical practice and the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, highlighting how rapid genome sequencing has led to life-saving diagnoses in both newborns and adults. Genomic tools, he said, are now becoming part of routine medical care and guiding clinical care decisions in real time.
After his talk, Ashley was joined by UC Santa Cruz faculty members for a panel discussion on the future of genomics in biomedical applications. Panelists included Russ Corbett-Detig, Benedict Paten, Alexander Ioannidis, Olena Vaske, and David Haussler. Together, they spoke about projects with direct implications for human health—from real-time COVID-19 tracking to efforts to build a more inclusive human reference genome. Vaske shared passionately about her hopes for UC Santa Cruz’s new diagnostic lab, which recently received its CLIA certification to allow them to bring their life-saving RNA analysis directly to pediatric cancer patients.
The panel discussion, moderated by Genomics Institute Executive director, Lauren Linton, opened up to questions from the audience, which ranged from technical to more broad and philosophical, including why whole-genome screening isn’t yet standard in clinical settings and how genomics might extend the human life or health-span. There were also several questions in regards to various aspects of genomics and open data-sharing. Haussler, who holds multiple patents but has also been a fierce advocate of open science, was asked about where he draws the line between intellectual property and information that should be open to the public. “In the case of the human genome, it was a no-brainer,” he said, arguing that only true inventions should be patented, while core discoveries about life should remain freely accessible.
Live demos translate complex genomics for the general public
Following the panel, guests explored hands-on demos in the Seymour Center’s exhibit hall. More than 150 attendees circulated among 11 interactive stations that brought genomics research to life. A standout demonstration challenged visitors to compete against a brain brain organoid—a cluster of lab-grown neurons —which had been trained to perform a feat in a computer game using AI-enhanced feedback. The exhibit combined neuroscience, stem cell biology, bioengineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to show just how far the field has advanced and how multidisciplinary it has become.
Other stations demonstrated nanopore sequencing, environmental DNA applications for conservation, and tools for mapping cancer risk, and one even used LEGO models to explain how RNA is being leveraged to develop pediatric cancer treatments. The demos reflected the Genomics Institute’s commitment to making complex science accessible and engaging to the public.
The theme that emerged throughout the afternoon was that genomics is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a powerful tool already reshaping medicine, conservation, and our understanding of life itself.
“What began as a bold experiment in open science 25 years ago has become the foundation for a new era of biomedical research and clinical care,” said Linton. “UC Santa Cruz is proud to remain at the forefront of turning sequences into solutions.”
