This Wednesday, the scientific community unveiled the first pangenome, the most complete and updated map of human DNA ever created. contains genetic information about 47 people, originally from Asia, America, Europe and Africa.
The original genome was published over 20 years ago, marking before and after biomedical research. “Humanity is about to have a tremendous and new power to heal,” said United States President Bill Clinton in 2000 when the first draft was presented. However, this one was recreated from the genetic information of one person of European and African descent.
The Pangenome provides insight into human genetic diversity for the first time. half 47 people descend from Sub-Saharan Africa, one third America, 13% China and 2% Europe, with indigenous representation.
The genome serves as an instruction manual present in every human cell. It consists of 3,000 million letters representing the initial letter of a chemical compound.
The new model adds 119 million letters in the DNA sequencecompared to what has been calculated so far. It’s also more accurate, with fewer errors, explained in a report published in the magazine. Nature.
We have a pangenome, what’s next?
Ready, eat pangenome. What is this for? According to Eric Green, director of the Human Genome Research Institute, what has just been published will completely revolutionize medical research.
The new genetic summary could help clarify, for example, how genetic variation can determine health and disease. It is expected to provide key information for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, macrocephaly, and microcephaly. And, even more so, for the manufacture of more effective drugs for everyone. “This is an incredible scientific achievement.Green told the BBC.
“The Pangenome, which reflects the diversity of the human population, will allow scientists to better understand how genetic variation affects health and disease. He is moving us towards a future where medicine will benefit everyone.”
Eric Green, director of the Human Genome Research Institute.
This pangenome is the first draft. The researchers want to increase the number of people reflected in the data to 350 by mid-2024. We are trying to minimize the implicit bias that exists, at least so far, in genetic research.
Two recent studies in the US and UK explain BBCfound that children of European ancestry were twice as likely to be diagnosed with genetic testing. This is compared to children of African descent.
The consortium’s research funding over the next five years will be $40 million. Thanks to technological advances, this is far less than the billions of dollars the genome project cost in the early 2000s.
Source: Hiper Textual
