For the first time, we are structuring the reference genome of Cypriots, generating new information regarding our genetic heritage and the assessment of the pathological genetic load at a population level, Director of the biobank.cy Center of Excellence for Biobanking and Biomedical Research of the University of Cyprus, Professor Constantinos Deltas, has told CNA.
He added that many useful conclusions about the research will be announced soon.
In his interview with CNA, the Professor said that they have analysed the genome of 1,400 Cypriots, while another 1,500 samples are being prepared. The next goal, he said, is to reach 5,000.
Building on a cutting-edge biomedical research infrastructure, the Center aspires to create new knowledge for improving human health and contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of diseases. It collects, analyses, and preserves biological samples and health data in its state-of-the-art biobank and utilises them for scientific, diagnostic, and educational innovation.
Deltas told CNA, that the most important achievement of biobank.cy so far is the fact that for the first time, through the operation of the Biobank, almost 11,000 Cypriot volunteers have been archived with extensive information regarding personal, demographic and clinical data.
“This is data that is accompanied by biological material and of course a signed consent form. A large part of the data and material is utilized and studied in the context of research projects,” he said.
Another “unprecedented” achievement, he added, is that they have analysed the genome of 1,400 Cypriots, which is under thorough investigation, while another 1,500 samples are being prepared.
“For the first time we are structuring the reference DNA of Cypriots, producing new information regarding our genetic heritage and the assessment of the pathological genetic load at population level” Deltas said, adding that many useful conclusions will be announced soon.
We are finally, he added, filling a big gap that we had as a country and as a population, while we now have our DNA reference, “which is so useful, I would say essential, when investigating and evaluating genetic findings of Cypriot patients”.
Even more important and useful, he continued, is that by studying such results we identify individuals in the general population who may not know that they have inherited a variant that predisposes them to a serious hereditary disease, a heart disease, or kidney disease or a cancer. Deltas noted that these individuals can be informed if this was their choice when registering in the Biobank.
Other achievements of the Centre are related to additional information about hereditary kidney diseases and for the first time about hereditary heart diseases and eye diseases.
Deltas told CNA that according to history and archaeology, the first inhabitants of Cyprus came from our geographical neighborhood, namely the region of Asia Minor and the Levant, from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, up to 12,000 years ago, long before the Greeks or the Turks appeared.
The Greek Mycenaeans and Achaeans came much later, in the 14th century BC and later, with peaceful dispositions, Deltas noted, adding that the superiority of Greek civilization was obvious, resulting in its dominance over the next 100-200 years and the local Cypriots adopted the culture, language and religion of the Greek Gods from then on.
Regarding the question about the percentage of DNA that constitutes a Greek DNA imprint in the Cypriot population, “the answer is difficult”, he told CNA.
He explained that recent genetic studies in the laboratory at the Center of Excellence of the University of Cyprus, confirm the history and archaeology regarding the origin of the first Cypriots.
He also said that “our study among Cypriot men (Y-chromosome analysis), shows that indicators related to the Greek line of origin range between 10% and 30% at best”.
Deltas pointed out that when the Mycenaeans arrived in Cyprus 3,500 years ago, Cyprus had already been inhabited for almost 8,000 years.
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Photo source: nih.gov
Source: CNA
