The Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Center (Kids First DRC) experienced an incredible week at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2025 Annual Meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts, October 15th-17th. This year’s conference served as a powerful reminder of the global, collaborative effort driving discoveries in human genetics, especially for our pediatric communities.
Experts gave over 100 demos on day 1!
For the Kids First DRC, ASHG 2025 was a vital opportunity to connect with researchers and introduce attendees to the Kids First data ecosystem, inviting them to join our mission to accelerate the discovery of genetic causes and shared biologic pathways across childhood cancer and congenital disorders. The energy at our booth was palpable, fueled by researchers eager to learn how the Kids First DRC provides a unique, open-access, integrated genomic and clinical data resource.
Accelerating Discovery Through Data Sharing
A central theme throughout the meeting (and a core principle of the Kids First program) was the transformative power of data sharing and cross-disease analysis.
Kids First DRC experts conducted 138 portal demonstrations, highlighting growing interest in Kids First resources. Participants discovered integrated data from thousands of participants affected by childhood cancer or congenital disorders and how this enables new insights that wouldn’t be possible when pediatric diseases are studied in isolation.
Beyond the data itself, a major focus was on the state-of-the-art, cloud-based analytical tools that the Kids First DRC ecosystem provides.
Diving In To Data Discovery
After-hours at the exclusive Data Discovery Exchange event cohosted by the Kids First DRC and INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome (INCLUDE) Project, researchers presented more than 30 posters, reflecting compelling findings that leverage the Kids First Data Resource and INCLUDE Data Coordinating Centers ecosystems. Stellar event sponsors helped underwrite the gathering: Illumina, Flywheel, MuleSoft, Velsera, and Day One Biopharmaceuticals.
The Power of Collaboration
Jack DiGiovanna, PhD, Chief Science Officer, Velsera @ the Data Discovery Exchange event
Our time in Boston reinforced the undeniable value of the global genetics community coming together. The connections made — from sharing strategies on variant interpretation in rare diseases to discussing the ethical implications of genetic data — demonstrated the impact of Kids First DRC and the vast ecosystem it supports.
Watch our latest video to explore all the insights and discoveries made by leveraging the Kids First ecosystem at the Data Discovery Exchange event.
To make sure you never miss an opportunity to meet and engage with the amazing researchers and scientists supporting Kids First DRC, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.
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