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Dubai researchers publish initial Arab genome consensus, paving the way for enhancement in regional precision medicine.

Researchers at MBRU reveal the first Arab Pangenome Reference, unlocking new DNA information and making significant strides towards precision medicine in the UAE and broader Arab region.

Scientists from Dubai's healthcare sector unveil the first Arab Pangenome Reference, a breakthrough...
Scientists from Dubai's healthcare sector unveil the first Arab Pangenome Reference, a breakthrough that boosts the precision of medicine in the region.

Dubai researchers publish initial Arab genome consensus, paving the way for enhancement in regional precision medicine.

In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) have published the first-ever Arab Pangenome Reference in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. This comprehensive study, conducted entirely in-house at MBRU's Center for Applied and Translational Genomics (CATG), has assembled high-quality genomes from 53 individuals of diverse Arab backgrounds across eight countries.

The Arab Pangenome Reference sets a new benchmark for precision medicine and personalized healthcare in the region. By providing a population-specific reference, the study enables better detection of genetic diversity and disease-associated variants relevant to Arabs, supporting precision medicine tailored to this demographic.

Key findings include the identification of over 111 million base pairs of previously unsequenced DNA and nearly nine million small genetic variants, along with more than 235,000 larger structural variants unique to Arab populations—regions and variants missing from current global references.

Among notable discoveries was the duplicated gene TAF11L5, found enriched in Arab individuals but absent from global references. This gene may influence gene regulation and has potential implications for understanding disease risk and variations in treatment response in Arab populations.

The study's findings enhance the scientific understanding of Arab genomics and contribute to international scientific efforts. The research reinforces Dubai Health's long-term commitment to world-class research and innovation in healthcare.

In addition to the Arab Pangenome Reference, the project developed "PanScan," a bioinformatics tool designed to analyze complex human pangenomes, facilitate the detection of gene duplications, novel variants, and structural changes. PanScan is publicly accessible on GitHub.

This work extends to enhancing genetic research, diagnostics, and therapeutics for Arab populations, closing gaps in global genomic data, and advancing personalized healthcare initiatives such as the UAE’s National Genome Strategy.

Dr. Mohammed Uddin, Director of CATG and senior author of the study, noted that the research is a significant step towards improving genetic research and healthcare for underrepresented populations. Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Acting Provost at MBRU, was a co-author of the study.

MBRU's research strategy ensures local populations are represented in global health advancements. The full study can be accessed at Nature Communications.

[1] Nature Communications [2] Genome Medicine [3] Human Molecular Genetics [4] PLoS Genetics

  1. The first-ever Arab Pangenome Reference, published in the journal Nature Communications, has set a new standard for precision medicine and personalized healthcare within the region, especially for Arab populations.
  2. The study led by Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) identified a duplicated gene, TAF11L5, which has potential implications for understanding disease risk and variations in treatment response in Arab populations. This gene was absent from global references.
  3. Among other contributions, the project developed PanScan, a bioinformatics tool that is publicly accessible on GitHub and is designed to facilitate the detection of gene duplications, novel variants, and structural changes in complex human pangenomes.
  4. The UAE’s National Genome Strategy will benefit from this research, as it aims to close gaps in global genomic data and advance personalized healthcare initiatives, contributing to international research and innovation in health and wellness, as well as medical-conditions.

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