Gene by Gene Collaborates with Children's Mercy to Advance Whole Genome Sequencing for Pediatric Rare Disease Research

Collaboration supports the Genomic Answers for Kids program and its mission to accelerate discoveries for children with rare and difficult-to-diagnose genetic conditions

HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gene by Gene, a leading genomics laboratory specializing in high-throughput sequencing and precision medicine, today announced a research collaboration with Children's Mercy to provide Whole Genome Sequencing services in support of the Children's Mercy Research Institute's precision medicine initiatives, such as the Genomic Answers for Kids program.

Genomic Answers for Kids (GA4K) is a first-of-its-kind pediatric genomics initiative designed to accelerate the discovery of genetic causes of rare and difficult-to-diagnose conditions. The program has a goal of collecting genomic data and health information from 30,000 children and their families, creating a repository of nearly 100,000 genomes.

Through the collaboration, Gene by Gene will bring its high-throughput Whole Genome Sequencing infrastructure and genomics expertise to support the scalable generation of genomic data that can help researchers uncover new insights into pediatric genetic disease.

For children with rare diseases, reaching a diagnosis can take years and often involves multiple specialists, tests, and inconclusive results. Whole Genome Sequencing offers researchers a more comprehensive view of genetic variation by examining regions of the genome that may not be captured through more targeted approaches.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing genomic medicine in several important areas:

Expanding the search for genomic answers. Whole Genome Sequencing provides a comprehensive view of the genome, supporting the identification and study of variants that may be missed through more targeted genetic testing approaches.

Supporting rare disease discovery at scale. Gene by Gene's high-throughput sequencing infrastructure is designed to support large genomic programs and research initiatives requiring consistent sequencing quality and substantial capacity.

Creating long-term value from genomic data. As scientific knowledge advances and the understanding of genetic variation evolves, research teams can revisit whole genome data, creating new opportunities to uncover answers for previously unresolved cases.

"Providing Whole Genome Sequencing capabilities to an institution like Children's Mercy represents exactly where we believe genomics can make an extraordinary impact," said Dr. Lior Rauchberger, CEO of Gene by Gene. "Behind every genome is a child and a family looking for answers. Our role is to provide the sequencing infrastructure and expertise that enables researchers to search deeper, work at greater scale, and ultimately move closer to those answers."

The collaboration highlights the growing role of scalable Whole Genome Sequencing infrastructure in translating advances in genomic science into research that can ultimately inform more precise approaches to diagnosis and care.

About Gene by Gene

Gene by Gene is a world leader in genetic testing services with over 20 years of experience. Its laboratories are accredited by multiple agencies, including CAP, CLIA, the New York State Department of Health, the California Department of Public Health, and AABB. With cutting-edge labs and a highly trained team of experts, Gene by Gene is committed to excellence in genetic analysis. www.genebygene.com 

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SOURCE Gene by Gene