Genop is Dasa’s population genomics project – Brazil’s largest integrated health network. The initiative’s mission is to revolutionize healthcare in the country by adopting a triple approach: Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medicine, by creating a Brazilian genetic database. By analyzing the DNA of our population, we aim to predict health risks before they manifest, allowing for the adoption of effective preventive strategies. Thus, we will be able to offer tailor-made healthcare that is adjusted to each person’s individual needs, promoting a healthier life and future for everyone.
Genop also strives to promote equity in medical care. Recognizing that a large part of genetic research focuses on populations of European ancestry, our goal is to adapt this knowledge to the diverse genetic context of Brazil. In this way, we aim to reduce inequalities by ensuring that health advances benefit all layers of our society, reflecting Brazil’s rich ethnic tapestry and ensuring that no one is left behind in the era of precision medicine.
The initiative is divided into two main sub-projects:
1) Imputation Panel
Using data from more than 6000 genomes containing information from public and private banks, we are building a powerful and reliable tool focused on Brazilian diversity, which will greatly aid in studies on genetic inheritance. Imagine that each person has a unique map that contains all the instructions to build and maintain the body’s functioning; this is the Genome, which also acts as a mechanism to pass these instructions on to descendants. Our tool is like a guide that allows us to estimate the complete map of individuals without all the information based on similar maps from more than 6000 combined genomes. It enables studies such as ‘Arrays’ and ‘Low Pass Genomes’, which are cheaper ways to conduct genetic studies, to estimate individuals’ complete genomes. Arrays are like essential reference points on the map, while ‘Low Pass Genomes’ are like a concise version of the complete map. With our tool, even these simplified versions will be able to provide us with valuable information on how traits and diseases are passed down from generation to generation in the Brazilian population.
2) Case and constrols studies
Unfortunately, most of the human genetic information available in the world is from individuals of European origin, and populations like the Brazilian one, very rich and diverse, are underrepresented. A consequence of this is that health innovations that have the potential to predict and prevent diseases using genetic data before the first symptoms arise (such as Polygenic Risk Scores – PRS) do not function as well. Our case and control studies are being developed to transpose these existing PRS to the Brazilian reality. These studies are initially focused on three diseases:
Prostate Cancer
In partnership with ICESP (Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo), led by Professor Maria Aparecida Azevedo Koike Folgueira.
Breast Cancer
Also in collaboration with ICESP, under the direction of Professor Roger Chammas.
Coronary Artery Disease
This is conducted within Dasa’s network of hospitals and laboratories, and it is coordinated by Dr. Marcelo Bittencourt, Dr. Marianna Deway Andrade Dracoulakis, and Dr. Eduardo Gomes Lima.
Meet Dasa’s scientific committee dedicated to population genomics research in Brazil. The professionals are physicians, doctors, bioinformaticians, researchers, data scientists, and other members who develop, manage, and analyze medical and biological data, especially genetic data.