Latest news with #geneticresearch
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Egypt launches ‘Sports Genome' phase of national DNA project
Egypt has launched the latest phase of its National Genome Project, turning its focus to athletes as part of a broader effort to harness genetic science for health improvement and sports development, officials announced Sunday. The announcement came during a high-level event marking the conclusion of the Sports Genome Project and the start of the 'Gene-Next' testing phase. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said the initiative represents a leap forward in preventive healthcare and personalized athletic training. 'By decoding the genetic blueprint of Egyptians, we can not only enhance athletic performance but also improve public health and reduce the burden of disease,' Abdel Ghaffar said. He was joined by the ministers of youth and sports, higher education, and senior representatives from the presidency and armed forces. The Sports Genome Program, he added, marks a strategic shift in how Egypt approaches health and human development—leveraging DNA analysis to tailor training, nutrition, and recovery programs based on an individual's unique physiological traits. Youth and Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy said the 'NEXT GENE' initiative opens a new chapter in Egypt's athletic development. 'It allows for the creation of personalized training plans aligned with each athlete's genetic potential, helping to prevent injuries and optimize performance from an early age,' he said. Higher Education Minister Ayman Ashour described the project as the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, with government funding of EGP 2 billion. He called it a milestone in Egypt's transition to a knowledge-based economy and a cornerstone of the country's Vision 2030 strategy. Presidential Health Advisor Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din emphasized the national genome project's broader scientific significance, especially in the fight against diseases such as cancer. 'We are conducting this work with precision in collaboration with Egypt's leading universities and research institutions,' he said. Major General Mohamed El-Gohary, Director of the Armed Forces Center for Medical Research and Regenerative Medicine, reaffirmed the military's support for the project and its ongoing role in the implementation phase of the sports genome initiative. The event was attended by former ministers, university leaders, senior military officials, and prominent sports divs, including the president of Egypt's Paralympic Committee and the former president of Zamalek SC. The Sports Genome Project forms a core component of Egypt's broader National Genome Initiative, which aims to build a comprehensive genetic database to support early disease detection, personalized healthcare, and performance optimization. Officials say the initiative reflects a growing shift toward data-driven, individualized approaches in both medicine and elite sport.
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Groundbreaking new study links 25 genes to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
A new study has found 25 genes believed to cause Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. More than 50,000 people with the condition had their genetic data compared to those who did not.
Mail & Guardian
11-05-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
African women at higher risk of preeclampsia – a dangerous pregnancy complication
Preeclampsia is a rising threat to maternal and infant health. Urgent investment in genetic research and early detection could save thousands of lives It plays a major part in about And it's on the rise. The incidence of preeclampsia in Africa jumped by about Preeclampsia usually occurs in young mothers during their first pregnancy. Girls under the age of 18 are Not only does preeclampsia pose a serious threat to women, it also harms babies, contributes to stillbirth, Yet we still do not know enough about preeclampsia. This gap has driven my research into the disease. I conducted the My work But African women are at An additional finding from my research is that genetic protection from preeclampsia works differently across populations. African populations carry unique protective genes. But, even with these additional protections, African women are at greater risk of developing severe preeclampsia because of the other problems such as access to healthcare and socio-economic constraints. There's inequality in the treatment of the condition too. In my experience, wealthier and better-educated African women often receive the diagnosis and treatment. Poorer and less-educated African women often do not. Preeclampsia research, especially in Africa, requires a lot more funding, as does broader research related to the maternal health of African women. Preeclampsia in Uganda About 287 000 Most of these deaths are preventable. For example, about Uganda's health ministry recorded in 2023 that out of 1 276 According to the World Health Organisation's The neonatal Infant mortality (death before a child turns one) is 31 per 1 000 live births in Uganda versus 3.7 in Australia. This stark contrast highlights an enormous gap in care that the two countries' pregnant mothers and babies receive. Part of the problem in Uganda, as in many developing countries, is persistent problems in healthcare infrastructure and resources. There are shortages of healthcare workers, medical supplies and facilities, particularly in the rural areas. (Graphic: John McCann/M&G) Early detection is key As a clinician and researcher working at the centre of Uganda's healthcare system, I witness mothers arriving at hospitals already in a The condition is both preventable and treatable if caught early. My These predictive biomarkers, as they are called, enable us to categorise patients based on their risk levels and identify those most likely to benefit from specific treatments or preventive measures. The precise causes of preeclampsia are not certain, but factors beyond genetics are thought to be problems with the immune system and inadequate development of the placenta. But much of what researchers know comes from work done in high-income countries, often with a limited sample size of African women. Consequently, the findings may not apply directly to the genetics of sub-Saharan African women. My research addresses this knowledge gap. Building on my findings about genetic determinants, I am leading a research team at Makerere University in Uganda to design interventions tailored to specific prevention and treatment strategies for African populations. Raising awareness Research alone is not enough. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between research and practice. During my fieldwork, I have witnessed first-hand how many Ugandan women are not aware of preeclampsia's warning signs and miss out on vital prenatal care. These warning signs often include headache, disturbances with vision, upper pain in the right side of the abdomen and swelling of the legs. But we can develop screening algorithms so that healthcare professionals can rapidly diagnose women at higher risk early in their pregnancy. Timely intervention, including specific treatment and plans for delivery, would reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and the baby. In my capacity as a national pre-eclampsia champion appointed by Uganda's health ministry, I am spearheading initiatives to raise awareness and improve access to maternal healthcare services. Through community outreach programmes and educational campaigns, we want to empower all women, rich and poor, with knowledge about the condition and encourage them to seek medical assistance at an early stage. More resources must be allocated to genetics research to realise our goals of prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia and its associated complications. This investment will drive the development of predictive technology for precise diagnosis, and enable timely intervention for at-risk mothers. Moreover, investigating the genetic roots of preeclampsia could lead to novel therapies that reduce the need for costly medical procedures or prolonged care for those affected. This would reduce the strain on already overburdened African healthcare systems. Annettee Nakimuli is an associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. This article first appeared in .
