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A Genome Study on Africans is expected to throw light on their descent and many other unknown factors. Genetic details of over 500,000 people of African descent will be collected for this purpose.
A Genome Study on Africans is expected to throw light on their descent and many other unknown factors. Genetic details of over 500,000 people of African descent will be collected for this purpose. This will be the largest database of the population, collated to discern genomic insights, which will serve as a reference genome with a complete set of individual-centric DNA. This project can eventually lead to the evolution of new drugs and diagnostic tests – and help reduce health disparities.
The initiative was launched by Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, along with the Regeneron Genetics Center, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, and Roche, which is being funded by pharmaceutical companies. The data will be managed by a nonprofit organization launched by Meharry – the Diaspora Human Genomics Institute.
The 10-year program is designed to support research and education in genomics and related fields at Meharry. This will throw new insights into STEM cell programs for elementary school children of various communities. Each of the pharmaceutical companies involved will contribute US$20 million to the genetics and education sides of the effort, which can have a significant impact on people of black descent.
There is a dearth of studies on the genome descent of black people. Only less than 2 percent of genetic information studied today comes from people of African descent. Although two people’s genomes, which are a set of instructions for building and maintaining a human being, are almost identical- more than 99% identical, scientists are keen to understand the difference that one percent would make. The project is not linked to related research already underway. Meharry, a historically black academic health sciences center, will recruit Nashville-area patients to donate blood, then send it to the Regeneron Genetics Center, which will perform the genetic sequencing for free. Other historically black colleges and universities in the United States, as well as the University of Zambia in Africa, will also recruit volunteers.
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After genetic sequencing, the data will be transferred to a repository at the Diaspora Human Genomics Institute, and the database will be provided exclusively to HBCUs and involved institutions in Africa. External researchers can access information through these institutions. Partner companies will be able to use the data for research and develop drugs and diagnostic tests.
