Genomics and molecular diagnostics based on whole genome data are of utmost significance for the  future development of medicine. The constantly renewed technological platform of the Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) ensures that the University of Cologne stays abreast of the underlying monumental changes in technology, which is a prerequisite to achieve scientific excellence in this important area of medicine and genetics.

In 2018, the Cologne Center for Genomics was selected by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as the main location of the newly founded West German Genome Center (WGGC) to meet the urgent need for modern NGS infrastructures in the future. The West German Genome Center is a cooperation between the University of Cologne, the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn and the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf under the leadership of the University of Cologne. 

The new centre will be equipped with "Next Generation Sequencing" methods that completely capture a biological sample from genome to epigenome to transcriptome. The resulting bioinformatic data will be made available to many scientific users. The new infrastructure will offer a range of services, including sequencing, expert search, scientific advice and training, application advice and networking.

The aims:

• providing the expertise to carry out research projects that are based on genomics data.
• providing and maintaining the infrastructure necessary for sequencing,
  microarray analyses and other high-throughput methods in DNA and RNA analysis as well as bioinformatics.
• developing concepts and technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases on
  the basis of methods derived from molecular genetics.
• implementing forward-looking research projects that enable the CCG to partake in national and international genomics research networks.
• establishing new and independent research groups working in the area of genomics.