Asia-wide genome project reveals unexpected diversity

After comparing genomes from all over the world, scientists have discovered that Asia has at least ten ancestral lineages, whereas northern Europe has only one ancestral lineage.

The GenomeAsia 100K consortium analysed the genomes of 1,739 people, which represents the widest coverage of genetic diversity in Asia to date. The study covers 64 different countries and provides the first comprehensive genetic map for Asia that will guide scientists in studying diseases unique to Asians, improve precision medicine and identify drugs that may carry higher risk of adverse reactions for certain ethnic groups.

NTU Professor Stephan C. Schuster said, “‘GenomeAsia 100K is a significant and far-reaching project that will affect the well-being and health of Asians worldwide, and it is a great honour for Singapore and NTU to be hosting it.

”Findings of the study were reported in Nature.