A rare disease is a disease that occurs infrequently in the general population, typically affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans at any given time. More than 30 million people in the United States of America (USA) and 350 million people globally suffer from rare diseases. Out of the 7000+ known rare diseases, less than 5% have approved treatments. Rare diseases are frequently chronic, progressive, degenerative, and life-threatening, compromising the lives of patients by loss of autonomy. In the USA, it can take years for a rare disease patient to receive a correct diagnosis. The socioeconomic burden for rare disease is huge. For those living with diagnosed rare diseases, there is no support system or resource bank for navigating financial, educational, or other aspects of having a rare disease. The purpose of this Research Topic is to bring together leading researchers, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers/diagnostic companies, and pharma/biotech/CROs in the field to provide a broad perspective on the latest advances, challenges, and opportunities in rare disease research. A genomic approach to rare disease research is becoming the key to discovering unknown causes behind these syndromes. Genomic rare disease research has attracted not only academic researchers but also researchers from the biotech/pharma and non-profit organizations. The breadth and depth of current genomic approaches in rare disease is largely unexplored. While the creation of novel CRISPR mouse models and the use of NGS (ChIP Seq, RNA Seq, etc) have become more routine for fields such as oncology, rare disease researchers are now making advances in modifying and applying these approaches for rare diseases. This Research Topic provides a fruitful platform for rare disease researchers to share their findings and advance the field of genomics research in the rare disease space.

Clinical Applications for Next Generation Sequencing provides readers with an outstanding postgraduate resource to learn about the translational use of NGS in clinical environments. Rooted in both medical genetics and clinical medicine, the book fills the gap between state-of-the-art technology and evidence-based practice, providing an educational opportunity for users to advance patient care by transferring NGS to the needs of real-world patients. The book builds an interface between genetic laboratory staff and clinical health workers to not only improve communication, but also strengthen cooperation. Users will find valuable tactics they can use to build a systematic framework for understanding the role of NGS testing in both common and rare diseases and conditions, from prenatal care, like chromosomal abnormalities, up to advanced age problems like dementia. Fills the gap between state-of-the-art technology and evidence-based practice Provides an educational opportunity which advances patient care through the transfer of NGS to real-world patient assessment Promotes a practical tool that clinicians can apply directly to patient care Includes a systematic framework for understanding the role of NGS testing in many common and rare diseases Presents evidence regarding the important role of NGS in current diagnostic strategies

Genomics of Rare Diseases: Understanding Disease Genetics Using Genomic Approaches, a new volume in the Translational and Applied Genomics series, offers readers a broad understanding of current knowledge on rare diseases through a genomics lens. This clear understanding of the latest molecular and genomic technologies used to elucidate the molecular causes of more than 5,000 genetic disorders brings readers closer to unraveling many more that remain undefined and undiscovered. The challenges associated with performing rare disease research are also discussed, as well as the opportunities that the study of these disorders provides for improving our understanding of disease architecture and pathophysiology. Leading chapter authors in the field discuss approaches such as karyotyping and genomic sequencing for the better diagnosis and treatment of conditions including recessive diseases, dominant and X-linked disorders, de novo mutations, sporadic disorders and mosaicism. Compiles applied case studies and methodologies, enabling researchers, clinicians and healthcare providers to effectively classify DNA variants associated with disease and patient phenotypes Discusses the main challenges in studying the genetics of rare diseases through genomic approaches and possible or ongoing solutions Explores opportunities for novel therapeutics Features chapter contributions from leading researchers and clinicians

This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact.