The Human Variome Project and the future of Genetic Medicine - Professor Sir John Burn
Channel: Human Variome Project / Global Variome
Date: 2013-08-16

Professor Sir John Burn talks about the Human Variome Project and the future of Genetic Medicine during the 60 Years of DNA event hosted by the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation and the Human Variome Project in June, 2013.

Professor Sir Burn is currently the lead clinician for the UK National Health Service (North East), and genetics lead for the UK National Institute of Health Research.

He was previously a director of the Institute of Genetic Medicine at The University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (2005-2010), and president of the European Society of Human Genetics (2007)

Professor Burn is widely regarded in the field of monogenic disorders particularly in establishing the genetic basis of a neurodegenerative disorder called neuroferritinopathy, and the major form of hereditary colorectal cancer called the Lynch syndrome. He led the study that demonstrated the use of aspirin in reducing the risk of colorectal and other cancers in persons with Lynch syndrome, and leads an international consortium investigating chemoprevention in persons with hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer.

He is currently exploring cell-based vaccines for colorectal cancer, and is involved in a startup company which aims to develop the use of nanowires, nanotubes and nanoribbons in genotyping and gene sequencing.

He plays as a drummer in a band called the "Famous Last Words."