Ministry Of Health Embraces Private Sector To Build National Genome Project

MGI’s DNBSEQ-T7RS High-throughput Sequencer. (ANTARA/ HO)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health cooperates with the private sector in the field of health technology to provide technology for the first phase of creating a population database of 10,000 genomes in the National Genome Project.

The science of genomics has been identified as one of the keys to developing health technology under the six pillars of the health care transformation strategy launched by the Ministry of Health earlier this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Health has also established the Biomedical & Genome Science Initiative for Precision Medicine (BGSi) to lead the application of genetic technology to achieve accurate treatment techniques.

"The method of collecting genetic information or called Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has been proven in the health world by assisting in the detection and treatment of COVID-19 and will continue to play an important role in ensuring the health of the Indonesian people," said Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin in a statement. quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, August 25.

Under BGSi, this first National Genome Project will be supervised by the Ministry of Health and implemented at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), the largest educational center and health institution in Indonesia as well as the center of a leading molecular laboratory known for its quality, technology and resources. .

MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI) with the help of its strategic local partner, PT Bakti Energi Abadi, will deliver workflows based on the DNBSEQ-T7RS ultra-high-throughput genetic sequencer, the MGISP-960RS and MGISP-NE384RS automation systems, and the ZTRON LITE data platform.

"This initiative will not only have a significant impact on genomics, biomedical research, and bioinformatics in the next five years, but will also enhance local biotechnology capabilities and talents, create new collaborations, and advance biomedical technology in Indonesia," said General Manager MGI Asia Pacific Dr. Roy Tan.

This project targets the collection of biological samples and the curation of 10,000 Indonesian genome data in the next two years to increase insight and map genomic data variants of the Indonesian population with pre-determined priority diseases.

The results of this study will be used for research and development of treatment in six main disease categories, namely; cancer, infectious diseases, brain and neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, genetic disorders, and aging.