Each year since 2018, new Leading Edge Acceleration Projects (LEAP) in Health IT awardees join an entrepreneurial group dedicated to developing and scaling technological breakthroughs. Together, these awardees bring forth solutions to advance research capabilities and improve care delivery. This year is no exception. The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) and DARTNet Institute are the newest awardees under ONC’s LEAP in Health IT funding opportunity.

Today, ONC is pleased to announce two demonstration sites selected for Sync for Genes Phase 4. Since its launch in 2017, the ONC Sync for Genes project has advanced the standardized sharing of genomic information between laboratories, providers, patients, and researchers. Sync for Genes uses the Health Level 7 (HL7®) International FHIR® standard to enable the electronic sharing of genomic data.  

The use of genetic testing is becoming increasingly routine in patient care. For example, tests are available to check newborns for genetic disorders, screen would-be parents for carrier status, inform cancer care, and evaluate potential pharmacogenetic associations. However, the laboratories that perform these tests face many challenges that keep them from being able to return clinical genomic results in a standardized way and fully leverage a patient’s electronic health record. This also affects healthcare professionals’ ability to deliver precision medicine and conduct precision medicine research.