Global genomes decoded by researchers to track disease

By: Admin | | Published: November 1, 2012 7:17 pm

In the largest and most detailed compilation yet of human DNA variations, scientists have decoded the genomes of more than 1,000 people from 14 ethnic global groups to trace rare and common diseases to their very roots. The 1,000 Genomes Project involved some 200 scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and other institutions. Eventually, the initiative will involve 2,500 individuals from 26 populations. Also Read - Genome sequencing of sewage water can help discover new coronavirus variants: US scientists

The raw information thrown up by the gigantic project took up some 180 terabytes of hard-drive space, enough to fill more than 40,000 DVDs. All of the information is freely available on internet, the journal Nature reported. Also Read - Genome sequencing for all international patients if tested Covid-19 positive: Why it is needed?

‘With this resource, researchers have a road map to search for the genetic origins of diseases in populations around the globe,’ said co-principal study investigator Elaine Mardis, co-director of the Genome Institute at Washington University. ‘We estimate that each person carries up to several hundred rare DNA variants that could potentially contribute to disease. Now, scientists can investigate how detrimental particular rare variants are in different ethnic groups,’ said Mardis, according to a Washington statement. Also Read - AI detects new class of genetic mutations behind autism

At the genetic level, any two people are more than 99 percent alike. But rare variants – those that occur with a frequency of one percent or less in a population – are thought to contribute to rare diseases as well as common conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Rare variants may also explain why some medications are not effective in certain people or cause side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia and sometimes even heart problems or death.

Researchers found that most rare variants differed from one population to another, and that they developed recently in human evolutionary history, after populations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas diverged from a single group.

‘This information is crucial and will improve our interpretation of individual genomes,’ said another co-principal investigator Richard K. Wilson, director of The Genome Institute and a pioneer in cancer genome sequencing.

All study participants submitted anonymous DNA samples and agreed to have their genetic data included in an online database.

Source: IANS

Published : November 1, 2012 7:17 pm

Read Disclaimer

'Eye of the Storm' - the first photograph of virus infecting cells in real time

A simple patch to get rid of hangover; critics call it 'a licence to drink'

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com

+91 – 22 – 6697 1234

91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

We respect your privacy

'Eye of the Storm' - the first photograph of virus infecting cells in real time

A simple patch to get rid of hangover; critics call it 'a licence to drink'

Genome sequencing of sewage water can help discover new coronavirus variants: US scientists

Genome sequencing for all international patients if tested Covid-19 positive: Why it is needed?

Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines: Have you heard of this disorder before?

Home remedies to get rid of lipomas, that benign lump just under your skin

World Down Syndrome Day: Know all about this condition

About The health Site

Useful Links