TryGOLD- Free

The Genomic Route To Targeted Cures
Outlook|March 02, 2020
Enabling a sharper understanding of Asian populations, the GenomeAsia 100K project may well shake up our medicine cabinet
- Siddhartha Mishra
The Genomic Route To Targeted Cures

On December 5, 2019, scientists from the GenomeAsia 100K project published an article (‘The GenomeAsia 100K Project enables genetic discoveries across Asia’) in the prestigious science journal Nature. It is the largest genomic study of Asian populations, covering 1,739 individuals from 219 different population groups and 64 countries. India has the maximum number of whole-genome sequences at 598. Besides enabling a better understanding of how Asian populations were formed, the resulting work will also make it possible to find out which medicines suit them better, based on genetic data.

The need for a more varied genetic database from populations across the world was highlighted in 2009 when analysis revealed that 96 percent of participants in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were of European descent. GWAS studies associate certain diseases with specific variations and the lack of data from different parts of the world meant medicines either couldn’t be catered to suit them or were entirely unsuitable to them.

“We show that the variant data produced by this project improve variant filtering for the discovery of disease-associated genes of rare diseases. We show that Asia has sizable founder populations and that further studies in these populations may be useful for the discovery of rare-disease-associated genes,” the paper says. For example, the researchers found that carbamazepine, an anti-convulsant, may have adverse effects on about 400 million South-East Asians who form part of the Austronesian language group. The paper also mentions that drugs like clopidogrel, peginterferon and warfarin “showed the largest variation between populations in predicted adverse drug responses”.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OUTLOOKView all
Soft Ruins
Outlook

Soft Ruins

'Soft Ruins' is a chapter within the long-term ongoing project \"When Spring Never Comes\", an expansive exploration of memory, identity and displacement in the aftermath of exile within contemporary global politics. It reflects on how the journey as an asylum seeker in Europe mirrors the instability and threats of life under dictatorship, amidst rising right-wing movements and shifting power dynamics, where both certainty and identity are redefined

time-read
1 min  |
January 11, 2025
Building Beyond Homes: Provident Housing's Transformative Approach
Outlook

Building Beyond Homes: Provident Housing's Transformative Approach

Provident Housing leads in crafting thoughtfully designed homes that cater to modern homebuyers' evolving needs. With a focus on timely delivery, sustainability, and innovative, customer-centric solutions, the company sets new benchmarks. In this exclusive interview, Mallanna Sasalu, CEO of Provident Housing, shares insights into the company's strategies, upcoming projects, and vision for India's housing future.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 11, 2025
Syria Speaks
Outlook

Syria Speaks

A Syrian graffiti artist-activist's tale of living through bombings, gunshots and displacement

time-read
3 mins  |
January 11, 2025
The Burdened
Outlook

The Burdened

Yemen, once a beautiful land identified with the Queen of Sheba, is now one of the worst ongoing humanitarian disasters of modern times

time-read
6 mins  |
January 11, 2025
Sculpting In Time
Outlook

Sculpting In Time

Documentaries such as Intercepted and Songs of Slow Burning Earth grapple with the Russian occupation beyond displays of desolation

time-read
4 mins  |
January 11, 2025
The Story Won't Die
Outlook

The Story Won't Die

Is Israel's triumphalism over its land grab in Syria realistic? The hard reality is-Israel now has Al-Qaeda as a next-door neighbour

time-read
10+ mins  |
January 11, 2025
Against the Loveless World
Outlook

Against the Loveless World

In times of war, love exists as a profound act of defiance

time-read
6 mins  |
January 11, 2025
Soul of My Soul
Outlook

Soul of My Soul

What does it mean to continue to create art during a genocide?

time-read
9 mins  |
January 11, 2025
in Dancing the Glory of Monsters
Outlook

in Dancing the Glory of Monsters

By humanising the stories of those affected by war, poverty and displacement, Buuma hopes to foster empathy and inspire action

time-read
2 mins  |
January 11, 2025
All the President's Men
Outlook

All the President's Men

Co-author of All The President's Men and one of the two Washington Post journalists (the other was Carl Berntstein) who broke the Watergate scandal that brought down the President Richard Nixon administration in the United States in 1974, Bob Woodward's recent book War was on top of The New York Times Bestseller list, even above John Grisham.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 11, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more