CariGenetics has become the first laboratory on the island to receive a state-of-the-art gene-sequencing device.

CariGenetics next month will be certified to offer sequencing services using the PromethION, which will be applied to several planned research projects.

Carika Weldon, the head of CariGenetics, said that the device would cut down on the need to ship samples overseas for testing and give Bermuda greater control of its research.

The device will also help Caribbean nations, as most of the islands lack such equipment.

She added: “We need to be more inclusive in where we conduct research.

“We don’t just want to do this just to say we did it — it’s about being more sustainable and bridging that gap in healthcare that is missing Caribbean research, and we have to be the ones to do it.”

The PromethION is capable of analysing enough genetic data to help users create reference genomes for any species.

These reference genomes, according to Dr Weldon, serve as a “measuring rod” when comparing the DNA of certain populations.

It can also be used to analyse different traits among a species, such as susceptibility to diseases.

Dr Weldon said that her lab initially had a smaller version of the PromethION, but it was not powerful enough to sequence a full human genome.

She said the device was instead used to train her geneticists on how to sequence cahow genomes and study brain coral microbiomes.

Dr Weldon added that the newer device, which could sequence whole human genomes, would first be used for CariGenetics’ Get In the Ring breast cancer research project, before being used to create reference genomes for biodiversity projects for brain coral, Bermuda cedar and Bermuda skink.

She said that, before receiving this device, Bermuda and most labs in the Caribbean would have had to send their data to the US, which would prevent the labs from keeping their samples or having control of their data.

But Dr Weldon added: “Now we can actually do everything locally, we can store the data locally, we have that data autonomy and data security, and we can empower our researchers.”

Dr Weldon said that many researchers around the Caribbean shared the same sentiment of wanting research autonomy and that receiving this device could have a domino effect across the region.

She said that, until then, Bermuda could serve as a closer point for Caribbean labs to send their genetic information for testing or personnel for training.

Dr Weldon said: “We want to make sure we keep autonomy within the region and that we’re also training people.

“Once we get this thing up and running, we have people from another Caribbean island who are looking to come in, get trained by us, and be able to utilise the machine so that we can start building local capacity.”