Sarah Warr / en U of T scientist co-leads human genome database project in Iran /news/u-t-scientist-co-leads-human-genome-database-project-iran <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T scientist co-leads human genome database project in Iran</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-04-16-genome-iran.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=JqrWm3f9 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2018-04-16-genome-iran.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Tfzf3gA7 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2018-04-16-genome-iran.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gwTj_zD1 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-04-16-genome-iran.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=JqrWm3f9" alt="DNA strand "> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>ullahnor</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2018-04-16T16:16:15-04:00" title="Monday, April 16, 2018 - 16:16" class="datetime">Mon, 04/16/2018 - 16:16</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">DNA strand and cancer cell (iStock image via Getty)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/sarah-warr" hreflang="en">Sarah Warr</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/dalla-lana-school-public-health" hreflang="en">Dalla Lana School of Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">Genome database represents half a billion people living in the Middle East</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A U of T epidemiologist is co-leading a new genetic database project of different ethnic groups living&nbsp;in Iran, which could have implications for people living across the Middle East.</p> <p>With the completion of the human genome project in 2003, several genome databases have been made available worldwide, but the&nbsp;databases lack representation from many ethnic groups including populations living in the Middle East.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Many genetic variations are ethnic-specific and need representation in DNA mutation databases in order to build a complete picture of the human genome,” said&nbsp;<strong>Mohammad R. Akbari</strong>, assistant professor of epidemiology at U of T's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, who is co-leading the&nbsp;new genetic database project, called<a href="http://www.iranome.com/about"> Iranome</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Individuals of Middle Eastern descent will now potentially have access to new genetic technologies and associated medical advances based on their unique genetic variations.”</p> <p>Akbari, who is also the director of the Research Molecular Genetic Laboratory at Women’s College Research Institute (WCRI), has developed the database&nbsp;in collaboration with Dr. Hossein Najmabadi, director of the&nbsp;genetics research centre at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Services in Iran.</p> <p>The database has been created with whole exome sequencing performed on 800 individuals from eight major ethic groups in Iran including Arabs, Azeris (Turks), Balochs, Kurds, Lurs, Persians, Persian Gulf Islanders, and Turkmen – altogether, they represent millions of&nbsp;Iranians and half a billion individuals living&nbsp;in the Middle East.</p> <p>Genome variation databases have been playing a critical&nbsp;role in interpreting genetic variations in human disorders. Creators of Iranome&nbsp;hope it will help realize the potential of precision medicine to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of certain disorders for&nbsp;Iranians and other populations from the Middle East region.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 20:16:15 +0000 ullahnor 133545 at