Link to paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s10038-017-0402-y
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| Principal component analysis of UAE genetic admixture |
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, several
studies (including the 1000 genome project) have sequenced whole genomes of
people from various population. However, Arab genomes represented only 0.08% of
the total data available as of 2016. As such, modern Arab genetic variation is
likely underestimated and Arab populations are largely being excluded from the
associated healthcare improvements associated with the genetic revolution.
AlSafar et al. reported on the creation of a study to sequence 1000 Arab
whole genomes in an article in the Journal of Human Genetics.
Initially, researchers reported that Arab populations are
homogenous groups from a highly conserved gene pool due to various social factors,
such as tribal structure and consanguineous marriages. However, recent work
suggests that the history of present populations in the Middle East includes
significant intercontinental migration and the impacts of globalization. As
such, Arab genomes could represent a significantly underestimated source of
modern human variation. Other studies have also suggested significant
differences in the various ethnic groups of the Arab world in Genome Wide
Association Studies (GWAS) of disease, such as the rs5219 SNP of the KCNJ11 and
its possible association with Type 2 Diabetes.
The study intends to sequence 1000 Emirati people due to the
ethnic diversity of United Arab Emirates population to create an Emirati genome
reference. They will study the polymorphisms of this genome to test possible associations
with diseases prevalent in Arabian populations. In addition, they plan to use
it to produce customized DNA-based assays to screen for genetic polymorphisms
related to disease to assist in early detection. Ultimately, the authors highlight
how smaller nations can start getting involved in genomic research due to the
reduced cost and time constraints of Next-Generation sequencing technologies.
Joshua Porter, Potluck 02/04/2020
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