The MyGenom project was announced by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) last week to map the DNA of the Malaysian population. The step was taken because most human genomic studies at this point focus on the American, East Asian and European populations. So, what should you know about it?

For your information, a database will be developed to enable organised and systematic access and sharing of genomic data for various purposes, including analysis, research, diagnostics, and clinical applications among researchers in Malaysia.

In the first phase, the sequencing of 2500 genomes will be done by 2025 with the target of sequencing 10,000 genomes to create accurate local genetic references to improve the delivery of disease treatment. For example in the treatment of diabetes, genetic information can be used to predict the patient's response to certain drugs.

Moreover, MyGenom is led by researchers from agencies under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM), the Malaysian Genome and Vaccine Institute, the Malaysian National Institute of Biotechnology, the Institute of Medical Research, and the National Institute of Health.

In addition, Genome sequencing has so far successfully unravelled several mysteries about the human body. For example, the discovery of sudden ageing occurs in the human body at the age of 44 and 60 years. Meanwhile, the M7b1a1 gene on mitochondrial DNA lowers the risk of obesity among Southeast Asian and South Chinese people.

The Human Genome Project (HGP ) which started in 1990 was the first step to complete the sequencing of the human genome. Although it started in 1990, it only managed to reach the target of complete sequencing in 2022 and cost $2.7 billion. To date, the HGP is the largest collaborative biology project in world history.

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