Introduction to oriGen Biobank
Did you know that Mexico is establishing the largest and most representative genetic biobank for the Latin American population in the world? This is the oriGen Project, which has already collected genomic data from over 100,000 Mexican adults aged 18 and above. This vast database, integrable with clinical-epidemiological data and biological samples, will serve as a foundation for impactful research in Mexican society and health.
The Significance of oriGen Biobank
This project, led by Dr. Pablo Kuri (former undersecretary of health) and Dr. Guillermo Torre Amione (TecSalud’s principal investigator), represents a bold step towards scientific independence for Mexico. Historically, health research in Mexico has faced budget constraints and short-term approaches. The oriGen Project, however, aims to position Mexico as a key player in genomics by leveraging advanced technology and a more focused, realistic approach.
Data Collection Process
Over nearly three years, teams of nurses and interviewers visited almost 400,000 households across 19 states, collecting data from volunteers. Participants answered a marathon-like questionnaire of up to 700 questions, covering diet, smoking habits, illnesses, income, and living conditions. Biometric measurements were also taken, including weight, height, blood pressure, and body fat percentage using bioimpedance devices. The most groundbreaking aspect was extracting two blood tubes (serum, plasma, and cells for DNA) from each participant, which are now stored in 19 ultra-low temperature freezers at -80°C in the Zambrano Hellion Hospital in Monterrey. There are half a million tubes, ready to uncover genetic secrets.
Impact and Potential
Preliminary analyses of 1,500 genomic samples from Nuevo León have already revealed a north-south gradient in Mexican heritage, with more European ancestry in Sonora or Coahuila and indigenous predominance in Oaxaca or Yucatán. Little African ancestry has been found, but the American root is present in all participants.
The oriGen Biobank will investigate local genes that explain Mexico’s vulnerability to diseases like diabetes, which affects 14 million people. It will also explore family-level high cholesterol, questioning whether the same medications work for Mexicans as they do for Europeans. The project aims to address gaps in global genomic research, which primarily focuses on Caucasian populations. oriGen’s findings are expected to inspire similar initiatives in other middle-income countries.
Access Rules and Future Publications
The first publication in the International Journal of Epidemiology will describe the project and its initial non-genetic data. Another paper in Nature Communications will analyze those pioneering 1,400 genomic samples. Dr. Kuri anticipates seeing health impacts within 10-15 years, with cascading publications expected in 2-3 years, similar to the UK Biobank’s experience.
Collaborations and Future Plans
Collaborations with the University of Texas, INMEGEN, Tec de Méloy’s Obesity Institute, and discussions with Oxford University are already underway. The oriGen team is also considering oriGen 2, which would include more rural diversity, addressing the current limitation of urban-only data.
Crisis at Incan: Contaminated Fentanyl and Closure of Calzada de Tlalpan
Ongoing Crisis at Incan
The ongoing crisis at the National Cancer Institute (Incan) has escalated, with a contaminated fentanyl import from Lithuania infecting 30 patients with Burkholderia contaminans bacteria during surgeries. Although some patients developed sepsis, the medical team managed to contain the situation without any fatalities. Cofepris has not issued any alerts, leaving uncertainty about potential contamination in other surgical units.
Staff Rebellion and Demands
Incan’s staff, including doctors and nurses, blocked the Calzada de Tlalpan on November 11th, demanding basic supplies like gloves, sutures, and medications. They also protested the paralysis in surgical rooms due to resource shortages, a problem replicated across other national health institutes. Today, Incan urgently needs oxigenation to maintain operations.
