King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) at Ministry of National Guard, Health Affairs has made the details public of the first Saudi human genome for some of Saudi citizens.
The project aimed at discovering the Saudi genome characteristics and features compared to other ethnic groups.
Dr. Bandar AlKnawy, the NGHA CEO, announced that the Saudi genome project outcome was the first genomic map for Arabs in the Middle East and Islamic world.
He added the project was executed in Medical genomics research department at KAIMRC that contains the advanced technology in the genome research operated by research team consisting of scientists, medical technologists and clinicians.
He assured that the medical genomics research Laboratories at KAIMRC will be one of the distinguished genome centers in the Kingdom. The bioinformatics facilities including super computers available in the KAIMRC will maintain and support the lead of medical genomics research department at the center.
He expressed his sincere appreciations and acknowledgments to the custodian of the two holy mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, the crown prince, prince Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, the second deputy prince Magren bin Abdul-Aziz and to R.H.P. Mutabe bin Abdullah, National Guard Minster for their continuous support for scientific researches and encouragement of scientific progress in the Kingdom.
Dr. AlKnawy mentioned that the genome mapping is accurate features for genetics information.
On the other hand, the Saudi research team supervising the project mentioned that the Saudi genome showed some significant differences from other populations that may play major roles in diseases predisposition, response to treatment…etc. The advancements in the biotechnology industry in the field of molecular biology and genetics allow scientists to go deep in understanding our DNA and its major role in health and disease. The technology advancement allows a 1000 genomes consortium to be available to investigate the differences among many ethnic groups.
The team elaborated more on the objectives of this national project for the Kingdom which mainly focuses on the implementation of genetic profiling in personalized medicine for our patients.
The team explained the major finding of the project, which includes that Saudis have more than 1.7 million genetics flag (SNP) not reported before. In addition, the mitochondrial genome showed that Saudis belong to L0a group. This group belongs to the old tribes who lived 150-170,000 years ago. The mitochondrial genome was deposited in the national center for biotechnology information.
The most interesting part in this project was comparing the genome of the healthy individuals to the genome from Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Comparison showed some of the unique differences that may elaborate more on the genetic basis of MS disease.