Copy
H3ABioNet 2018 seminar series
View this email in your browser

H3ABioNet Seminars' series

The H3ABioNet Seminar coordinators and task force cordially invite you to join us for the June seminar under the theme of: "First insights into the metagenome of Egyptian mummies using next-generation sequencing"

Seminar Format:  A seminar talk will be provided by Dr Rabab Khairat Ibrahim AbdelHay, from the National Research Center, Egypt. This exciting talk will be 40 to 50 minutes long followed by 10 to 15-minutes of discussion and Q/A.
Seminar Date: Wednesday 27th June 2018
Seminar time: 1pm UTC / 2pm WAT / 3pm CAT / 4pm EAT

First insights into the metagenome of Egyptian mummies using next-generation sequencing

Abstract: The application of next generation sequencing (NGS) has dramatically increased the amount of genetic information over the last few years. In the current study, we applied, for the first time, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology on Egyptian mummies. Seven NGS datasets obtained from five randomly selected Third Intermediate to Graeco-Roman Egyptian mummies (806 BC–124AD) and two unearthed pre-contact Bolivian lowland skeletons were generated and characterised. The datasets were contrasted to three recently published NGS datasets obtained from cold-climate regions, i.e. the Saqqaq, the Denisova hominid and the Alpine Iceman. Analysis was done using one million reads of each newly generated or published dataset. BLASTN and MegaBLAST results were analysed using MEGAN software. Distinct NGS results were replicated by specific and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols in ancient DNA dedicated laboratories. Here, we provide unambiguous identification of authentic DNA in Egyptian mummies. The NGS datasets showed variable contents of endogenous DNA harboured in tissues. Three of five mummies displayed a human DNA proportion comparable to the human read count of the Saqqaq permafrost-preserved specimen. Furthermore, a metagenomic signature unique to mummies was displayed. By applying a “bacterial fingerprint”, discrimination among mummies and other remains
 
Dr Rabab Khairat Ibrahim AbdelHay

National Research Centre
www.nrc.sci.eg

Email:  rababncr2001@hotmail.com; rk.abd-elhay@nrc.sci.eg
 
Dr. Rabab Khairat, is a researcher in Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, Division of Human Genetics and Genome Research, National Research Centre. Division of the human Genetics and Genome Research is a pioneer center in the Middle East with a number of ell known and prestigious professors in studying human genetic disorder especially the Mendelian disorders.  Dr. Rabab Khairat was selected by the National Research Centre and Supreme Council of Antiquities to be a part of the first Egyptian team to discover more about the genetic makeup of the Egyptian mummies especially the Royal mummies in the 18th dynasty. Therefore, she was a member in the research team that founded an ancient DNA lab in the Egyptian museum with cooperation with Discovery channel (2006-2007, 2008-2009). Since then, she is a part time member of a team in Ancient DNA lab, Egyptian Museum and a member in the paleobiology committee in the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.  In 2009, she got a DAAD scholarship (GERLs program) in Institute of Human Genetics, Division of Molecular Genetics, University of Tübingen, Germany, where she had finished her PhD degree in Biology and learned more about the Next Generation Sequencing technology (NGS). She used the NGS technology for the first time with the Egyptian mummies and Ice man mummy as a result of collaboration with Institute of Mummies and Iceman. Since 2014, Dr. Rabab is an active member in a number of running projects and is a member of the Center of Excellence for Human Genetic (CEHG), NRC, which is funded by Science & Technology Development Fund (STDF).  The main aim of CEHG is the diagnosis and studying the genetic disorders in the Egyptian population considering the high percentage of the rare genetic disorders as a result of the high rate of consanguineous marriages. Dr. Rabab presented a number of lectures to NRC members and through different research groups to teach others more about the high throughput sequencing technology and its effect in the human genetic field. Recently and as a result of collaboration with McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics Medicine (IGM), John-Hopkins University, Dr. Rabab was a post-doctoral fellow in IGM and supported by CEHG and STDF to be trained there. For fifteen years, Dr. Rabab is working with her professors and colleagues to know more about the genetic makeup in the modern and ancient Egyptian population and trying to help the Egyptian patients with the those rare genetic disorders.  
 
Copyright © 2018 H3ABioNet, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp