A study that analyzed the genetic code of a quarter of a million American volunteers found more than 275 million completely new variants – something that could explain why some groups of people are more prone to diseases than others.
Whole human genome sequencing data aims to fill historical diversity gaps in existing genomic datasets by focusing on previously underrepresented groups, reports Reuters and Agerpres. The “All of Us” study, funded by the US National Institutes of Health, discovered a total of 1 billion genetic variants.
“Sequencing diverse populations can lead to new drug targets that are relevant to everyone. It may also help uncover disparities that lead to specific treatments for people who face a higher disease burden or different diseases,” said Dr. Josh Denny, one of the study’s authors.
Although many genetic variants have no impact on health, nearly 4 million newly discovered differences in the genetic code are located in areas that may be associated with disease risk, researchers reported in a series of articles published in the journal Nature.
The study also aims to collect DNA and other health data from 1 million people in hopes of better understanding genetic influences on health and disease.
Nearly 90 percent of genomic studies conducted to date have been conducted on people of European descent, leading to a limited understanding of diseases and slowing the development of drugs and prevention strategies effective in diverse populations, the directors of several departments wrote. of the NIH in a related commentary. Recent studies have already shown how genetic diversity can impact disease risk.
2024-02-21 09:51:36
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