Genome Tunisia Project: paving the way for precision medicine in North Africa.
Biobanking
Care pathway
Cost-effectiveness
Data sharing
Government support
Health economics
Human genomics
Precision medicine
Socio-economic impact
Tunisian reference genome
Journal
Genome medicine
ISSN: 1756-994X
Titre abrégé: Genome Med
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101475844
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
27 Aug 2024
27 Aug 2024
Historique:
received:
02
05
2023
accepted:
16
07
2024
medline:
27
8
2024
pubmed:
27
8
2024
entrez:
26
8
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Key discoveries and innovations in the field of human genetics have led to the foundation of molecular and personalized medicine. Here, we present the Genome Tunisia Project, a two-phased initiative (2022-2035) which aims to deliver the reference sequence of the Tunisian Genome and to support the implementation of personalized medicine in Tunisia, a North African country that represents a central hub of population admixture and human migration between African, European, and Asian populations. The main goal of this initiative is to develop a healthcare system capable of incorporating omics data for use in routine medical practice, enabling medical doctors to better prevent, diagnose, and treat patients. A multidisciplinary partnership involving Tunisian experts from different institutions has come to discern all requirements that would be of high priority to fulfill the project's goals. One of the most urgent priorities is to determine the reference sequence of the Tunisian Genome. In addition, extensive situation analysis and revision of the education programs, community awareness, appropriate infrastructure including sequencing platforms and biobanking, as well as ethical and regulatory frameworks, have been undertaken towards building sufficient capacity to integrate personalized medicine into the Tunisian healthcare system. In the framework of this project, an ecosystem with all engaged stakeholders has been implemented including healthcare providers, clinicians, researchers, pharmacists, bioinformaticians, industry, policymakers, and advocacy groups. This initiative will also help to reinforce research and innovation capacities in the field of genomics and to strengthen discoverability in the health sector. Genome Tunisia is the first initiative in North Africa that seeks to demonstrate the major impact that can be achieved by Human Genome Projects in low- and middle-income countries to strengthen research and to improve disease management and treatment outcomes, thereby reducing the social and economic burden on healthcare systems. Sharing this experience within the African scientific community is a chance to turn a major challenge into an opportunity for dissemination and outreach. Additional efforts are now being made to advance personalized medicine in patient care by educating consumers and providers, accelerating research and innovation, and supporting necessary changes in policy and regulation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Key discoveries and innovations in the field of human genetics have led to the foundation of molecular and personalized medicine. Here, we present the Genome Tunisia Project, a two-phased initiative (2022-2035) which aims to deliver the reference sequence of the Tunisian Genome and to support the implementation of personalized medicine in Tunisia, a North African country that represents a central hub of population admixture and human migration between African, European, and Asian populations. The main goal of this initiative is to develop a healthcare system capable of incorporating omics data for use in routine medical practice, enabling medical doctors to better prevent, diagnose, and treat patients.
METHODS
METHODS
A multidisciplinary partnership involving Tunisian experts from different institutions has come to discern all requirements that would be of high priority to fulfill the project's goals. One of the most urgent priorities is to determine the reference sequence of the Tunisian Genome. In addition, extensive situation analysis and revision of the education programs, community awareness, appropriate infrastructure including sequencing platforms and biobanking, as well as ethical and regulatory frameworks, have been undertaken towards building sufficient capacity to integrate personalized medicine into the Tunisian healthcare system.
RESULTS
RESULTS
In the framework of this project, an ecosystem with all engaged stakeholders has been implemented including healthcare providers, clinicians, researchers, pharmacists, bioinformaticians, industry, policymakers, and advocacy groups. This initiative will also help to reinforce research and innovation capacities in the field of genomics and to strengthen discoverability in the health sector.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Genome Tunisia is the first initiative in North Africa that seeks to demonstrate the major impact that can be achieved by Human Genome Projects in low- and middle-income countries to strengthen research and to improve disease management and treatment outcomes, thereby reducing the social and economic burden on healthcare systems. Sharing this experience within the African scientific community is a chance to turn a major challenge into an opportunity for dissemination and outreach. Additional efforts are now being made to advance personalized medicine in patient care by educating consumers and providers, accelerating research and innovation, and supporting necessary changes in policy and regulation.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39187811
doi: 10.1186/s13073-024-01365-w
pii: 10.1186/s13073-024-01365-w
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
104Investigateurs
Ahlem Achour
(A)
Ines Ouertani
(I)
Lilia Kraoua
(L)
Rym Meddeb
(R)
Sana Skouri
(S)
Sana Gabtni
(S)
Hela Bellil
(H)
Yasmina Elaribi
(Y)
Syrine Hizem
(S)
Houweyda Jilani
(H)
Sonia Kchaou
(S)
Malek Trigui
(M)
Khouloud Rjiba
(K)
Hamza Chouk
(H)
Marwa Mahdouani
(M)
Sarra Dimassi
(S)
Soumaya Mougou
(S)
Narjess Trabelsi
(N)
Yasmine El Abed
(Y)
Safa Boubaker
(S)
Rihen Braham
(R)
Salma Najjar
(S)
Ahlem Msakni
(A)
Fatma Chtioui
(F)
Lamia Hammami
(L)
Hela Gargouri
(H)
Fidaa Jbeli
(F)
Riadh Ben Marzough
(R)
Mouna Choura
(M)
Meriem Ben Said
(M)
Yosra Lajmi
(Y)
Souhir Guidara
(S)
Manel Guirat
(M)
Nesrine Kerkeni
(N)
Maryam Younsi
(M)
Sana Karoui
(S)
Oussema Souiai
(O)
Mariem Hannachi
(M)
Houcemeddine Othman
(H)
Haifa El Mabrouk
(H)
Feriel Bouzid
(F)
Cyrine Abid
(C)
Nihel Ammouss
(N)
Imene Boujelbene
(I)
Oussema Khamessi
(O)
Abdeljelal Ghram
(A)
Amade M'charek
(A)
Hamdi Mbarek
(H)
Thouraya Mellah
(T)
Noomen ElKadri
(N)
Houssein Khoujet El Khil
(H)
Hassan Chaabane
(H)
Maher Kharrat
(M)
Raja Gargouri
(R)
Lotfi Cherni
(L)
Faiza Fakhfakh
(F)
Chahnaz Charfi Triki
(C)
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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