Medical research: Morocco establishes its reference genome

This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:

Hibapress

A major scientific advance has just been carried out in Morocco with the publication, in Communications Biology – Revue du Prestigieux Groupe Nature – results from the first phase of the Moroccan genome project (PGM).

This study sets the foundations of a reference genome specific to Morocco, an essential tool for the development of a national medicine on a national scale, said a press release from the Mohammed VI Foundation of Health Sciences (FM6SS).

Managed by FM6SS researchers within the Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation (CM6RI), the study is based on the complete sequencing of the genome of 109 individuals from different regions of the Kingdom, adds the same source, noting that this work has identified more than 27 million genetic variants, including 1.4 million unique.

Researchers have highlighted 15,378 frequent changes specific to the Moroccan population, and built a reference genome called MMARG (Moroccan Major Allele Reference Genome), it is specified, noting that the latter constitutes a local alternative to the standard international genome (GRCH38), unsuitable for genetic specificities of the country.

Work has mobilized various national researchers in the field of genomics, bioinformatics and medicine and has initiated an advanced device for the interpretation and security of data.

This publication marks an acceleration of biomedical research in Morocco. The continuation of the program provides for the expansion of the cohort studied, in order to further refine the genetic reference model at the national level and to improve knowledge on hereditary predispositions to diseases in the Moroccan population, the press release concludes.