AI-Generated Genomes Could Transform Cancer Research

Fake DNA, real breakthroughs.

Scientists at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and the University of Toronto have created OncoGAN. This generative AI system simulates realistic cancer genomes to improve diagnostic tools and precision treatments.

By producing synthetic genomes for eight different cancer types, OncoGAN helps researchers benchmark and refine analysis algorithms without risking patient privacy. Unlike real genomes, these simulations come with a fully known “ground truth” sequence, offering scientists an error-free reference point for testing new methods.

“With OncoGAN, we are creating realistic genomes out of nothing, with no connection to any real person, yet a huge amount of value scientifically. These synthetic genomes don’t contain any personal health information, and so they can be shared without limitation.”

— Dr. Lincoln Stein, Acting Scientific Director, OICR

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