https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231021/new-initiative-launched-to-create-largest-african-genomes-database-for-medical-research--1062966799.html
Initiative Launched to Create Largest African Genome Database for Medical Research
Initiative Launched to Create Largest African Genome Database for Medical Research
Sputnik Africa
The medical data collected will be anonymous, and to take into account the broad cultural and genetic diversity of Africa, the project seeks to attract... 21.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-21T10:35+0200
2023-10-21T10:35+0200
2023-10-21T11:06+0200
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The Meharry Medical College in the US state of Tennessee has announced the start of an endeavor 'Together for CHANGE', aimed at collating the largest database of genomes exclusively from people of African descent.The college, which has partnered with four biopharmaceutical companies with an $80 million investment, hopes to recruit up to 500,000 African Americans and people of African descent and pool their DNA and medical data in a biobank for medical research.The journal Science explained that people of African descent are among the most genetically diverse people in the world, but they make up less than 0.5 percent of participants in genetic studies and are still underrepresented in major genetic databases.The project, the organizers said, is designed to fill that gap by focusing on a more comprehensive view of the human genome worldwide. To make the study more representative, the college aims to collaborate with institutions in Africa, such as the University of Zambia.In addition, the initiative's authors will consult with local black communities on research directions, "in recognition of Black patients’ past exploitation by the medical and scientific community".Partner companies such as Regeneron, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk and Roche will be able to use the data for research and development of drugs and diagnostic tests.
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Initiative Launched to Create Largest African Genome Database for Medical Research
10:35 21.10.2023 (Updated: 11:06 21.10.2023) The medical data collected will be anonymous, and to take into account the broad cultural and genetic diversity of Africa, the project seeks to attract academic partners from across the African continent.
The Meharry Medical College in the US state of Tennessee has announced the start of an endeavor 'Together for CHANGE', aimed at collating the largest database of genomes exclusively from people of African descent.
The college, which has partnered with four biopharmaceutical companies with an $80 million investment, hopes to recruit up to 500,000 African Americans and people of African descent and pool their DNA and medical data in a biobank for medical
research.
The journal Science explained that people of African descent are among the most genetically diverse people in the world, but they make up less than 0.5 percent of participants in genetic studies and are still underrepresented in major genetic databases.
"The lack of representation means disease-causing mutations unique to Africans are missed. And tools for predicting disease risks or treating patients that were developed with data from those of European descent - may not work as well in patients with African ancestry," the article said.
The project, the organizers said, is designed to fill that gap by focusing on a more comprehensive view of the human genome worldwide. To make the study more representative, the college aims to collaborate with institutions in Africa, such as the University of Zambia.
In addition, the initiative's authors will consult with local black communities on research directions, "in recognition of Black patients’ past exploitation by the medical and scientific community".
Partner companies such as Regeneron, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk and Roche will be able to use the
data for research and development of drugs and diagnostic tests.
