54Gene, Pan-African genomics startup, has launched its African Centre for Translational Genomics (ACTG). The center is to serve as a genomics research institute for scientists in Africa. It will provide grants, fellowships, internships, and training for researchers and trainees.
54Gene is an African research health tech startup that is located in Nigeria and the United States of America. It was founded in 2019 by Dr. Ene-Obong to study Africa’s genetically diverse population. It aims to improve existing and discover new medical products to treat diseases in Africa and the world at large.
Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, the CEO of 54Gene, explained that the center would facilitate precision medicine and harness translational genetic research across Africa. The center is funding its first consortium called the ‘Non-Communicable Diseases-Genetic Heritage Study’ (NCD_GHS).
See Also: 54gene Plans to Build Africa’s First Biobank with Acquired $4.5 Million Seed Round
The study seeks to understand the genetic basis of prevalent non-communicable diseases in Africa. It will involve the genetic materials of 100000 Nigerians diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney, and sickle cell diseases. In the end, 54Gene will discover new drugs to treat people suffering from such cases.
Prominent Nigerian genetic scientists and a committee of medical research professionals will implement this project. The study will enable them to assess the genetic determinants of non-communicable diseases and guide the discovery of new drugs.
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