Morocco’s Genome Project study represents the first complete mapping of the human genome conducted in Morocco, and one of the few on the African continent.
A major scientific breakthrough has just been achieved in Morocco with the publication in Communications Biology – a journal of the prestigious Nature group – of the results of the first phase of the Moroccan Genome Project (PGM).
This study lays the foundation for a reference genome specific to Morocco, an essential tool for the development of precision medicine on a national scale.
Led by researchers from the Mohammed VI Foundation for Health Sciences (FM6SS) within the Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation (CM6RI), the study is based on the complete genome sequencing of 109 individuals from different regions of the Kingdom.
This work has identified more than 27 million genetic variants, including 1.4 million that are new to the world. The researchers identified 15,378 recurrent mutations specific to the Moroccan population and constructed a reference genome called MMARG (Moroccan Major Allele Reference Genome).
This genome represents a local alternative to the international genome standard (GRCh38), which is unsuitable for the country’s genetic specificities.
The work involved various national researchers in the fields of genomics, bioinformatics, and medicine, and implemented an advanced system for data interpretation and security.
This publication marks an acceleration of biomedical research in Morocco. The next phase of the programme plans to expand the cohort studied to further refine the reference genetic model at the national evel and improve knowledge of hereditary predispositions to disease in the Moroccan population.
MK/te/Sf/fss/gik/APA