Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute scientist Ultan McDermott tells the story of BRAF. This gene was discovered to be mutated in 40% of malignant melanoma by researchers who sequenced cancer genomes. As a result drugs have been developed to target a particular mutation in BRAF prolonging the life of people with this form of cancer.
This video has been produced to accompany a classroom activity: BRAF: from gene to cancer therapy that has been developed by the Public Engagement team at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. The activity is available at www.yourgenome.org