SINGAPORE (Oct 18): A new genetic databank – the largest and first in the world on Asian populations – has been completed in a study of close to 5,000 Singaporeans.
The whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 2,780 Chinese, 903 Malays, and 1,127 Indians has resulted in the first-of-its-kind study, which will provide valuable insights on the unique genetic diversity of Asian populations. This study will enable more accurate diagnosis of genetic diseases, empower the research of chronic diseases and guide prevention and targeted therapies.
The study, published on Oct 17, was a collaboration among scientists and clinicians from several institutions in Singapore. These include A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), National University Hospital (NUH), SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine (PRISM), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH).