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Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary and Dr. Kamran Azim are revealing the details of the Pak Genome Project at PCMD. – Photo by Hussain Afzal /Dawn.com, outside Photo by Eureka Alert.
KARACHI: Pakistan has become the world’s sixth country and the first Muslim state to map the genome of the first Pakistani individual. The complete genome mapping was done jointly by the Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD) at Karachi University and Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) in China.
The details were revealed to the Pakistani media by Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi University and Dr. Kamran Azim of ICCBS at a press conference at PCMD.
Highlighting the importance of the project, Dr. Choudhary said Pakistan had officially entered into the world of genome mapping and the details of the work would be published soon in a research journal. He disclosed that eminent Pakistani chemist and former chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman was the first Muslim and Pakistani whose complete genome was mapped by Dr. Kamran Azim.
“The important work will pave the way for research on heredity diseases, evolution and the over all genetic make up of Pakistanis which now hold a unique genetic pattern as a nation. In the past many people like Dr. Watson and others urged scientists not to reveal their genome publicly but Dr. Rehman has never put any restrictions for his genome draft,” Choudhary added.
The whole process cost US$ 40,000 and was equally contributed by PCMD and BGI.
The blood samples of Dr. Atta ur Rehman were sent to BGI where his genome was sequenced by state of the art gene sequencing machines, however, the technical and research work was mainly done by Dr. Azim.
Genome: The Book of Life
In his marvelous book, Genome, Matt Ridley wrote:
“Imagine that the genome is a book. There are 23 chapters, called chromosomes. Each chapter contains several thousand stories, called genes. Each story is made up of paragraphs called exons, which are interrupted by advertisements called introns. Each paragraph is made up of words called codons. Each word written in letters are called bases, which are Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, Thiamine or shortly A,G,T,C.”
The remarkable achievement of the first genome mapping of any Pakistani is just like opening the software or book of life of a nation.
Later, in his presentation, Dr. Kamran Azim said the project would help improve the diagnosis of diseases and also help trace back mutations in genetics of the Pakistani nation. Both Dr. Azim and Dr. Choudhary emphasised to establish a national genomic center and Dr. Choudhary said that the center should be established at the PCMD premises because of the knowledge and infrastructure that exists at the center.
Well Done PAKISTANI Researchers We as a nation are proud of u all….
Congratulations to the entire team.
The article says: "The blood samples of Dr. Atta ur Rehman were sent to BGI where his genome was sequenced by state of the art gene sequencing machines, however, the technical and research work was mainly done by Dr. Azim."
It is obvious that Beijing Genomics Center, BGI, did the sequencing, and therefore BGI deserves the credit for it, not PCMD. If no significant sequencing happened in Pakistan -and I suspect it didn't- then sequencing is not the reason to be proud of here. I understand the passion and jubilation that commentators have displayed here about this news. But let the jubilation not be misplaced. Unfortunately the article lacks detail. Indeed it is annoying that the most preeminent newspaper in Pakistan would report this news in a teasing and superficial manner. Beyond surface skimming, there is not much in the article that could educate the reader.
Nonetheless, there is something to be proud of here: That PCMD collaborated with a major sequencing center, and that this endeavor led to success. My guess is that the Pakistani researchers participated in significant ways. It is just not clear how. I certainly hope that more such collaborations would be forthcoming. It is also admirable that Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman gave his consent to make the sequence of his genome public.
To make its citizens really proud of science in the country, Pakistan could establish a major genome sequencing center. I am convinced that Pakistan can do it, but needs the national will to do so. Pakistan could first establish one or two smaller centers to sequence, for example, the genomes of indigenous microbes. The expertise acquired at such centers would prove invaluable in sustaining these endeavors, as well as in establishing a major center. The genome of the Pakistani buffalo should be a prime target for sequencing.
Nice to know this. I have been trying to find a way to convert 2D MRI and CT images to convert into 3D, still no luck though
I guess it can be achieved by having second MR ring running simultaneously 3 degrees to the first. In short, you have to build a new machine.
I do not think so. Creating a 3D model from MRI volume is pretty easy. All you need is a matlab or some other (free) software package to do the image segmentation and model reconstruction. Try FSL, SPM or brainsuite.
If you have access to matlab software, try “help mri”. Rest is self explanatory.
Indeed a proud day for every Pakistani. Congratulations to all Team members for their contributions how small effort it may be. We look for a bright future for our country by this research work and its long term contribution towards illness control and a healthy society.
no word for your job but pray to ALLAH for unity of Muslim world just you do great and greatest work
Congrats to Dr Azim and Dr Choudhary for their hard work in making Pakistan the 6th country to map the gene of great scientist Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman. I humbly appeal the politician that wake up and realize the importance of sciences and technology, and allocate more funds to this sector. Fortunately we are the only nation in the world that have more then 40% young people …..the builder of the nation but just needs direction
Congratulations on this achievement!
Well done brothers, at least we have something to cheer about. The government should encourage and facilitate this process in future.
Human genome project which started 21 years ago has been a milestone in medical research and is a futuristic approach towards human health care.
Evolution, understanding hereditary diseases, personalized medicines, genetic make up are all spin out research and benefits of human genome project.
It's good omen that Pakistan has finally jumped into the field.
With the genomic map of an individual it will be possible to make medicines for the particular individual by rational drug design as it will be possible to know where the flaws are in DNA and enzyme machinery. A very well job done indeed by the Pakistani scholars and congratulations to all of them.
Well done my Pakistani brothers INSHALLAH we will boost our Pakistani lives by the Name of Allah , please be consistent and move forward in each field of life to rock this world.
“The important work will pave the way for research on heredity diseases, evolution and the over all genetic make up of Pakistanis which now hold a unique genetic pattern as a nation."
Its interesting to know that the geneticist of Pak. agree that Pakistanis hold a unique genetic pattern as a nation. Does aggressiveness and extrimist behavior lie in this catagory remains to be explored in the Pak. genome.
Marvelous achievement.
1. But the cost is too high. US$ 40, 000 is in Pak. Rs. 2 crore and 24 lac. which is unafordable to a lay man. Only Waderas and big landlords can enjoy such luxuries. Why not if they can buy a car double of this amount.
2. Its not clear if the sequencing was done in BGI China, which is the major work in Genome mapping, what part of the work done by PCMD in Pakistan.
3. I hope Dr. Attaur Rahman was not selected by them just to get some benifits like establishment of national Genomic Center.
its the gift of allah that pakistan is full of tailent
Great work…this achievement is certainly commendable! This is another evidence of the fact that our nation isn't lacking in talent or passion…we just need to channel it constructively…
Why first Muslim country is important in news headlines? Are Muslims against such mapping?
No Muslim countries are not against it.But it is considerd as a pride for Pakistan to be the first amongst Muslim countries and sixt in the whole world
Excellent news. Congratulations to the entire team.
what a great way to get into the intelligent targetting sciences. pak chin zinda abad.
………….and no signs of evolution found………..
Well done and congrtulations to Dr Azim and Dr Choudhary for their team work that led to the "genomisation" of Prof. Atta-ur-Rehman as the beginning for that of the entire Pakistani nation! It would be worthwhile to know the genome-geography of Pakistan.
Well Done PAKISTANI Researchers We as a nation are proud of u all….
This is amazing news and results that can help manage diseases like Thalasemia and maybe Malaria- of course there are many other benefits for future heath planning! Great news and well done!
Excellent news for Pakistan. Congrats to Dr Azim and Dr Choudhary for their hard work in making Pakistan the 6th country to map the gene of an individual. This will help us answer many questions about diseases related to our lifestyle and also provide answers to our history as a nation and the ethic makeup of this country. I hope the government of Pakistan recognizes this important achievement and provide funding for this and other research and development projects to help Pakistan advance in the field of science and technology.
Once again I am so proud of my country and the great scholars and scientists it produces.
Proud of Pakistan!!!! We need more people like these docs.
For a minute I was scared that we had mapped the genome of the rather scary bearded fellow
Thank goodness it was Dr. Rahman ; a clean shaven oxbridge educated PHD … a worthy individual as any. Please for goodness sakes let us present a civilized, modern( clean shaven) fair and lovely face to the world (who ALSO happens to be very highly educated / PHD from oxbridge etc.)
I still have doubts that Genetic Mapping of one Pakistani could be Generalized for the whole nation as we are not ethnically same in Pakistan as we were home of many nations in Past and still you find people of all sort and colour here. So it is better to have a large pool of Pakistanis from all regions of Pakistan and then study them and then it will pave the way of Genetic Profiling of the Generalized Pakistani people.
A great day for this nation to celebrate because of the unlimited benefits it carries; now Pakistanis are scientifically a nation. My salutes to Karachi University; they deserve the Highest State Award along with due media coverage. Invaluable good news should also be told like the way our media tells bad news, else it proves that our media cares only for the money it can mint.