First genome sequencing in the UAE to study autistic spectrum

Dubai - It is too early to tell the impact because this is part of an ongoing study to understand the genetic basis of this condition.

A whole genome-sequencing of an Emirati boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that will help understand, diagnose and treat the disorder has been conducted for the first time in the UAE.
However, it is too early to tell the impact because this is part of an ongoing study to understand the genetic basis of this condition, Mohammed Uddin, assistant professor of human genetics, College of Medicine at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) who led a scientific team for the research, told Khaleej Times.
"If we can understand the genetic basis, we can improve diagnosis and identify people with this disease better. Thus, understanding how it works will eventually help towards achieving new treatments for autism," he said.
The sequencing is part of a collaborative research between the MBRU and the Autism Programme at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital (Al Jalila Children's), in Dubai Healthcare City.
"The study was done in collaboration with Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital (AJCH) and any child with autism being taken care of at the hospital that fits the criteria," he said, while explaining why that particular child was chosen for research.
The MBRU's scientific team, which also included four students from the college of medicine, applied a portable nano long-range DNA sequencer to conduct whole genome sequencing.
"The team and I are sequencing or reading a whole genome of a boy with autism through nanopore sequencing; a technology that allows long read DNA sequencing," said Dr Uddin.
"It's a new technology that is more innovative than the established sequencing technologies, due to its portability and its ability to decipher a full spectrum of genetic mutations. Whole genome sequencing and analysis of the genome is a complex process that requires deployment of sophisticated sequencing technology and massive high performance computing power," he said. Comprehensive analysis of a genome usually take months to understand the mutations and its functional aspect, he added. "We hope that through our research we will be able to detect new genes that will aid precision diagnosis and future therapeutics of autism."
From AJCH, the co-principal investigator of the study, Dr Ammar Al Banna, adjunct assistant professor of psychiatry at the MBRU, and head of child and adolescent mental health centre of excellence at AJCH, said:
"Research indicates that autism is largely due to genetic factors and it is important to understand specific genetic factors associated with the ASD in the UAE. The main objective of genetic testing, at present, is to reach a more accurate diagnosis, predict recurrence rates within the family and screen for other conditions, but providing personalised treatments based on the underlying genetic causes is the ultimate goal in future. We also run prospective clinical research studies and are collaborating with Dr Uddin's team at the MBRU on this important genomic study."
In line with the UAE's current focus on genome projects, the MBRU is implementing a genome-sequencing technology to streamline precision medicine for neurodevelopmental disorders within Dubai.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai