Industries:

Genomics

THE SCENE

Genomics in Santa Cruz is an important emerging and expanding industry. It includes biomedical research, genetic data processing and analysis, diagnostics, and the development of disease treatment therapies.

Five3 Genomics is changing the face and treatment of cancer through the innovative cancer-genomics software the founders helped develop as graduate students at UCSC.

The NantOmics (formally Five3 Genomics) team is able to determine that a certain type of cancer behaves more like a different and seemingly unrelated form of cancer and this can lead to a more effective, or even new, treatment.

SomaGenics is developing groundbreaking therapies and methods of detecting and monitoring biomarkers – those substances that indicate the presence of a disease or infection. The possibilities for this industry are endless, and the impact? Potentially universal.

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The Roots

The history of Genomics in Santa Cruz started back in 1985. Robert Sinsheimer, then UCSC Chancellor, proposed a colossal undertaking: sequencing the human genome - the complete set of human genetic information made up of DNA sequences. In 2000, the UCSC genomics research team achieved that goal, and two weeks later launched a genome server that allows scientists and...
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The history of Genomics in Santa Cruz started back in 1985. Robert Sinsheimer, then UCSC Chancellor, proposed a colossal undertaking: sequencing the human genome - the complete set of human genetic information made up of DNA sequences. In 2000, the UCSC genomics research team achieved that goal, and two weeks later launched a genome server that allows scientists and researchers around the world to access and download the sequence. Local rock stars of genomics emerged from this project including: distinguished professor of biomolecular engineering, David Haussler, and his then molecular biology graduate student, Jim Kent. In 2009, the Genome 10k Project was launched and international collaborators worked to sequence 10,000 different vertebrate species.

As if all of this wasn’t enough. UCSC then set their sights on the next big challenge: Cancer. Knowledge of the human genetic makeup is being used to better understand and fight the gene mutations that cause cancer. With this information doctors are able to develop more effective treatment plans for their patients. In 2014, the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute was founded and today, it's project categories include: Genomics and Health, Conservation Genomics, Technology Development, and Browsers.

1st

to sequence the human genome

5

UCSC Spin-Off Companies

2014

UCSC Genomics Institute Founded

Organics

Santa Cruz is at the center of the organic agriculture certification movement and this industry is supported by major institutions.

Creative

Feeding off of the culture of the community and the talent drawn from renowned UCSC programs, the growing creative economy in Santa Cruz provides opportunities for freelancers, firms, artists, and craftspeople to prosper.