The Qatar Genome Programme (QGP) plans to sequence 3,000 additional samples and complete the second phase of its pilot project by mid-2017, an official has said.
The two-year first phase started in September 2015, during which 3,000 whole genomes were sequenced in the first year, and another 3,000 in the second year (total 6,000 Qatar Biobank samples).
All 3,000 samples sequenced in the first year belong to Qatari Participants and were deeply phenotyped (studying the observable physical characteristics and traits), at Qatar Biobank. The sequencing was performed using the cutting edge technology, followed by bioinformatics processing of the raw data into formats ready to be used for research purposes and later for clinical reporting, said Dr Said Ismail, Programme Manager, QGP, speaking to media recently.
At present, a large network of researchers representing different stakeholders from all around Qatar are working to mine the data and come up with clinically relevant information on the local genome map.
“We hope we could have a preliminary idea on main features of the Qatari genome map around end of 2017, which will coincide with the end of the pilot phase,” said Dr Ismail.
“The research network will look into many aspects, including for example Mendelian disorders, the rare genetic disorders mutations prevalent in Qatar. Another example is the Pharmacogenomics of the local population, which is the study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs,” added Dr Wadha Al Muftah, Head of the Genomic Operations Division at QGP.
It is hoped that the next phase of the programme will witness ramping up of sequencing output to much more than 3,000 samples per year. This second phase will continue to benefit from the great synergy provided by the combination of the Qatar Biobank’s phenotypic data, and Qatar Genome’s genotypic data (the genetic makeup) which would enable the extraction of comprehensive conclusions on the population’s health and disease.
“Having such merger of two huge data bases for five to ten percent of a population, is something few countries around the world can achieve” said Dr Ismail.
The final phase would be the largest. The main features of this phase would rely on the development of the sequencing technology at the time. In recent years, the next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has evolved at an unprecedented pace. The duration of sequencing of one whole genome went down from a few years to a few days.
QGP is a national initiative aiming to map the genome of the local population, and is already seen as one of the most ambitious national projects of its kind not only in the region but also at the international level.
“With its advanced genomic infrastructure, high caliber researchers, and its relatively small population, Qatar is well positioned to be a global model and leader in precision medicine,” said Dr Ismail. QGP acts as a national platform that facilitates the best use of all relevant resources in Qatar. Indeed, QGP was able to forge strong strategic partnerships with all the main local stakeholders.
“Following the official start of the Pilot Phase work in September 2015, the QGP team has been able to achieve and initiate various goals in a relatively short period of time. This wouldn’t have been possible without the great support from QBB, the QGP incubator, or the strategic partnership with Sidra,” said Dr Ismail.
“QGP was built based on a national strategy with seven building blocks that would lay the strong foundations required to build a unique model that would put Qatar as a leading nation in the implementation of precision medicine,” he added.
