Zaneyah Hughes
23 Nov 2025
Genetics
Dr. Barbato
The Arab Pangenome Reference
The University of Birmingham Dubai is helping the word pangenome live up to its definition. Pangenome. According to the National Institute of Health, a pangenome is a collection of genome sequences from many individuals in a species. However, researchers led by Dubai’s Health Center for Applied and Translational Genomics and in partnership with The University of Birmingham Dubai felt the need to expand the individuals that the word “many” encompasses. Named the Arab Pangenome Reference (APR), this genome doesn’t just rely on one standard genome, but includes many different versions of the genome specific to the Arab Population.
I think the APR is a great way to expand genetic representation, especially for underrepresented groups. By making sure that people unique to certain regions are documented, medicine can become much more inclusive and gain a better understanding of the origins of genetic diseases. Finally, projects such as the Arab Pangenome Reference demonstrate how more informed and equitable choices in healthcare stem from broadening where our samples come from.
Source: https://www.natureasia.com/en/nmiddleeast/article/10.1038/nmiddleeast.2025.134. Extra article: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/advanced-genetic-blueprint-could-unlock-precision-medicine
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