Genomics: cutting-edge technologies to identify genes involved in human diseases

Elizabeth Cañas

Genomics research has been successful in studying bacteria causing tuberculosis and other common diseases. The University of Antioquia is using groundbreaking genomics technology to analyze other pathogenic microorganisms.

Photograph: Genome sequencer system

Not too long ago Genomics was still a little known discipline. Today, genomic technologies have become more affordable and there is a widespread interest in developing genomics-based research projects in Latin America.

Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica (National Center for Genome Analysis) at University of Antioquia, focuses on the analysis of organisms involved in the development of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, Leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.

“Advances in genomics have led to high resolution imaging of bacteria that cause tuberculosis, which resulted in the development of further studies to analyze the evolution and spread of this infectious disease”, says Dr. Juan F. Alzate, director of Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica.

US, Europe and even Africa, have successfully conducted studies on tuberculosis bacteria. The study currently being conducted in the laboratories of Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica, Medellín, plays a key role in controlling pathogenic microorganisms involved in infectious diseases.

Recent advances in bacterial genome sequencing enhance the University’s reputation for quality health research and demonstrate the effectiveness of its scientific and technological resources.

Genomics research allows scientists to develop simultaneous genome sequencing of living things to better understand the metabolic activities and biological properties of microorganisms.

These studies include the analysis of plant pathogenic bacteria and beneficial bacteria. “Genomics is a useful tool for the conservation of endemic biodiversity”, said Dr. Alzate.

“We encourage students and genomics enthusiasts to join research projects and become engaged in the study of microbiology, because there is a notorious lack of experts in the field”, he stressed.

Patricio Manque, a genomics expert and research fellow at Universidad Mayor de Chile, said that significant advances in genomics have been made in the past two years. The Chilean scientist highlighted the importance of pathogen analysis and research conducted in Colombia. He also said his country has been using genomics in several key production processes such as salmon farming, forestry and mining.

“Chilean scientists should consider genetic marker analysis as a useful tool for identifying neurodegenerative disorders and make use of genomics for the development of vaccines against diseases caused by dangerous pathogens which pose a serious threat to public health, as is the case of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and hantavirus” he claimed.