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.
Topics
Subscriber Only University of Tennessee Health Science CenterThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization with a hybrid business model, we rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and miscellaneous earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
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.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.