First phase of mapping genetic code of citizens in final stage

The initial phase of an initiative to map the genetic code of citizens for better diagnoses and treatment of diseases in Qatar has reached the final stage, according to a senior official at Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra).

The Qatar Genome Project (QGP),  which aims at understanding the diseases that affect Qataris, will be implemented in three phases — collecting samples; analysing them; and working on tailored medicine.

Sidra’s research branch play an important role in the QGP under the Qatar Genome Committee, in collaboration with Qatar Biobank.

The pilot phase will have sample size of 3,000 Qataris and map the Whole Genome Sequences (WGS).

The research branch has also led the high quality whole genome sequencing and data generation of Qatari genome samples, providing technology and expertise to conduct data analysis.

“We’re finalising the pilot phase of QGP will relocate our Omics Core and Clinical Genomic laboratories back to the Sidra Outpatient Clinic,” Dr Ena Wang, Chief of Translational Medicine, Sidra, said during a media tour of the facility.

She said the research labs are on the fifth floor of the clinic and will open in June.

As the genomics and bioinformatics hub for QGP, the Sidra Omic and Clinical Genomic labs are hosted by Qatar Biobank with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS); Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) metrics implementation and full speed data generation.

Sidra has implemented a fully integrated and scalable bioinformatics system for ramping up the sequencing data management and analysis efforts.

It has also put in place an end--to-end Next Generation Sequencing data analysis system in partnership with WuXiNextCode to manage and mine more sequences than any other system in the world.

Understanding of genetics allows safer drug prescription and more effective treatment of diseases and conditions that affect patients.

Sidra’s research branch aims at advancing the understanding of the proper reasons behind diseases, developing early prevention, accurate diagnostic and advance therapeutics, and improving the health outcomes of the women and children of Qatar.

Courtesy: thepeninsulaqatar.com