New test for pregnant women set to fundamentally change prenatal diagnostics
Professor Ida Vogel from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital has received DKK 24 million in a Grand Solutions grant from Innovation Fund Denmark to lead the research project GENIUS, focused on early, non-invasive genetic diagnostics during pregnancy.
As part of the project, researchers aim to develop a new genetic test that, as early as pregnancy week 9, can provide pregnant women with direct genetic insight into the condition of the foetus – without any risk to the baby.
GENIUS is intended to replace the current probability-based risk assessments, which rely on scans and blood tests, with more precise genetic information on known serious genetic syndromes, conditions, and pharmacogenetic variations relevant to treatment and foetal exposure.
“GENIUS represents a crucial shift from statistical risk models to direct genetic knowledge about the foetus – early in pregnancy and without risk to the child. It offers a new foundation for clinical decision-making and for the pregnant woman’s options,” says Professor Ida Vogel.
The project combines prenatal diagnostics with personalised medicine and also examines how genetic information is understood and applied by pregnant women and healthcare professionals. The patient perspective and responsible use of genetic information are an integral part of the research.
GENIUS has a total budget of DKK 32 million and will be carried out over the next four years through a public-private partnership between Aarhus University, Aarhus University Hospital, and the company Arcedi Biotech.
Based on press material from Innovation Fund Denmark.
Contact
Professor Ida Vogel
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine, and
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Phone: +45 31 52 31 56
Email: idavogel@rm.dk