Genome of Bulgaria aims to build DNA map
Professor Kaneva described The Genome of Bulgaria as a national initiative to create a reference genome by analyzing DNA from a representative sample of healthy volunteers across the country. She explained that the project aims to identify genetic variations characteristic of the Bulgarian population, which is fundamental for distinguishing between normal traits and those linked to hereditary diseases. This research forms the basis for advancing genomic medicine, enabling early diagnosis and preventive healthcare strategies.
She clarified that this is the first large-scale genomic study in Bulgaria and is part of the broader European Genome of Europe endeavor. Participation is open to healthy individuals without known genetic diseases, whose parents and grandparents were born and lived in Bulgaria. Volunteers must complete a clinical questionnaire and provide a blood sample, which can be arranged from any location in the country.
The project is currently sequencing its first one thousand genomes and has secured funding to analyze two thousand more. Professor Kaneva emphasized that the resulting database will be a vital resource for future scientific research, supporting the development of personalized medicine. All participation is voluntary, with detailed information available on the project’s official website.
