[12] The advances in technology allow the Sanger Institute to carry out sequencing of the genomes of individual humans, vertebrate species and pathogens, at an ever-increasing pace and reducing cost.

Studies from all programmes provide insights into human, pathogen, cellular evolution, the phenotypic and hence biological consequences of genome variation and the processes which cause mutations.

[26] In 2010, the Sanger Institute announced its participation in the UK10K project,[27][28][29] which will sequence the genomes of 10,000 individuals to identify rare genetic variants and their effects on human health.

[citation needed] The Programme applies genomics to population-scale studies to identify the causal variants and pathways involved in human disease and their effects on cell biology.

Investigates the common underpinning mechanisms of evolution, infection and resistance to therapy into bolster understanding of bacteria, viruses and parasites, with a particular interest in malaria.

It also explores the effects of genome variation on the biology of host–pathogen interactions, in particular host response to infection and the role of microiotia in health and disease.

[citation needed] The Tree of Life Programme was created in 2019 to investigate the diversity of complex organisms found in the UK through sequencing and cellular technologies.

This Programme will play a leading role in the Darwin Tree of Life Project, a UK-wide initiative to sequence the genomes of all 66,000 complex species (eukaryotes) in the British Isles.

The programme aims to make complex biomedical research accessible to a range of audiences including school students and their teachers, and local community members.

Scientific and public engagement staff also collaborate on and contribute to national projects such as the UK's InsideDNA[37] traveling exhibition and the Who am I?

These include Adrian Bird, Ewan Birney, Chris Ponting, Fiona Powrie, Stephen O'Rahilly, Antonio Vidal-Puig, and Wolf Reik, among others.

Sulston was instrumental in the choice of the Hinxton site for the institute and remained there as director until the announcement of the completion of the draft human genome in 2000.

[49] He shared the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Robert Horvitz and Sydney Brenner,[50] two years after standing down as director of the institute.

In August 2018 it was reported that an investigation was under way into allegations of bullying of staff and gender discrimination made against senior management of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, including the director.

[59] The investigation, carried out by the barrister Thomas Kibling from Matrix Chambers, concluded in October 2018 and cleared Stratton of any wrongdoing, while listing areas for improvement in the workings of the Sanger Institute.

[62] In October 2019 it was reported that the institute had manufactured a medical tool with the intent of monetising it despite not having ethical nor legal approval to do so and having been made aware by Stellenbosch University and internal whistleblowers.