For the LNS’ National Centre of Genetics (NCG), the year 2021 was marked by two major milestones. Right at the beginning of the year, a latest generation sequencer was installed, considerably increasing the sequencing capacity and allowing for a broad range of sequencing applications. In July, a joint team of experts from the LNS and the LIH (Luxembourg Institute of Health) started working together and has since been running a sequencing hub at the NCG. The goal of both initiatives is to achieve excellence in healthcare and clinical research.
On the way to becoming a centre of excellence for genomic medicine
Both the investment in technology and the bundling of competencies are evidence of the long-term excellence strategy of both the NCG and the LNS. With the sequencing hub, the LNS is further expanding its collaboration with the LIH in the field of biomedical research and translational medicine, which started in 2018 with the launch of the LuxGen platform. The sequencing infrastructure created at that time is now well on its way to becoming a national centre for genomics research, as Prof. Dr Barbara Klink, head of the NCG, points out:
“Expanding the partnership between the LNS and the LIH staff in 2021 is an essential step for genetic research in Luxembourg. The original goal of the LuxGen platform was to share our expertise, inspire joint translational research, leverage essential investments, and pave the way to a national sequencing consortium. Today, LuxGen is the national sequencing centre, enabling a variety of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based tests with a focus on translational and clinical research projects.”
New sequencer allows Luxembourg genetics to catch up
In general, Luxembourg relies on very close cooperation between the various players in the country and their international teams in the field of medicine. With LuxGen, the LNS and the LIH are consistently continuing this approach and sustainably bundling the versatile expertise and existing technological infrastructure. Since January 2021, the latter has also included the Illumina NovaSeq6000 high-throughput sequencer, which, according to Barbara Klink, represents a quantum leap for genetics in Luxembourg:
“The NovaSeq6000 means a massive upgrade in sequencing capacity with at the same time lower sequencing costs. This enables large-scale sequencing applications that were not possible before in Luxembourg – such as sequencing of complete human genomes. Previously, the technology required for this was not available in this country. We were dependent on foreign partners, especially for larger sequencing approaches, from gene panels to genome-wide sequencing. This often lead to long waiting times for results and complicated procedures. Therefore, we are happy about brand-new perspectives for patient care.”
Expert advice for doctors and patients in Luxembourg
In retrospect and given the current backdrop, Barbara Klink considers 2021 to be a decisive year for the NCG and thus for genetics in the whole of Luxembourg: “Many processes now converge in the LNS, and an intensive multidisciplinary exchange of clinical and scientific experts is guaranteed’.” Ultimately, all of this brings clear advantages for patients, and this also results in realistic goals for the coming years, the NCG’s head of department continues: “We see the future of the NCG as a centre of excellence in genetics, serving the people of Luxembourg and giving patients and doctors the best possible advice on key medical issues. We can do this all the better if diagnostics, clinical genetics care, and clinical research are bundled in one center.”
Just how central these questions are can be seen from a few key figures. A large number of diseases are caused by genome defects, says Barbara Klink. Among them are many rare inherited diseases, of which more than 7,000 are known, but also cancer: “For many diseases, genetic tests have become increasingly important in recent years, because specific genetic changes have a great influence on the selection and optimisation of treatment. Integrating such new insights to patient care requires a multidisciplinary team of clinical and laboratory experts who can draw on cutting-edge technology in their work.”
More highly qualified staff members for truly sustainable excellence
Excellence is thus a guiding principle at the NCG – and will remain so in the mid and long term. However, expanding testing capacities and offering more and more complex genetic tests in turn requires the continuous expansion of resources of highly trained experts, says Barbara Klink: “In 2021, we increased the number of tests performed at the NCG by 20 percent, which is primarily a credit to our highly qualified and motivated team. This multidisciplinary team combines different competences that are needed in modern genetics and covers both healthcare and clinical research. To continue to deliver excellence for Luxembourg genetics, we need to find and retain more top talent in Luxembourg and beyond.”
