First Bahraini human genome sequence success

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini medical team tasked to implement the National Human Genome Plan at the Public Health Department has succeeded in recording the first complete sequence of human genome in Bahrain. The achievement consisted of three Bahraini human genome samples with a very high coverage rate of 97%. The team has already succeeded in monitoring the genetic sequence of Covid-19 over the past two years, as the number of viral samples subject to integrated genetic sequencing exceeded 27,000.

A team made up of 20 genomics technicians were trained by experts from Illumina, one of the leading companies in the field of Next Generation Technologies (NGS). The training focused on the the latest genetic decoding protocols that compare them relative to the reference human genome. This innovative technique determines the nucleotide sequences in whole or targeted genomes of DNA and RNA.

The technique can detect thousands of diseases and genetic mutations. The genetic variants and mutations are identified, their pathological phenotypes are linked to genotypes. These genetic variants are classified according to the standards and rules of the American College of Genetic and Genomic Medicine (ACMG). The team has also been trained on reporting and sharing them with genetic medicine specialists.