Memphis boasts one of the largest genetic databases of people with African origins
Partnership between UTHSC and Le Bonheur building repository of 100,000 genomes
Dr. Robert J. Rooney, Ph.D, Director of Integrative Genomics Bio Repository at LeBonheur Hospital and UTHSC, and other researchers at the hospital sequenced the DNA of nearly 10,000 children whose families who have had blood drawn at Le Bonheur since 2015. Rooney uses a semi-automated robotic system that has the capability of transfering 96 samples of DNA from one vessel to another. (Houston Cofield /The Daily Memphian)
About 79% of human genomes collected in repositories worldwide are from people of European ancestry, which are primarily Caucasian. This makes it challenging to study and understand the genetic causes of diseases or mutations in other populations.
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Christin Yates
Christin Yates is a native Memphian who has worked in PR and copywriting since 2007. She earned her B.S. in public relations and M.S. in mass communications from Murray State University.
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