A collaborative research team from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia and BGI (Formerly known as Beijing Genomics Institute, headquarter at Shenzhen), People’s Republic of China, is the first in the world to successfully map the full genome of Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius). The Arabian camel today enters a highly exclusive club of selected few mammals which have had their full genome sequenced and analyzed. KACST and BGI today jointly announced that their scientific team has fully mapped the genome of the Arabian camel. This is the first mammalian livestock to be sequenced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “We are proud to announce today that we have fully mapped the genome of the Arabian camel. It is the result of intensive collaborative research of more than 20 researchers over one year” Dr. Abdulaziz Alswailem, Project Principal Investigator, Coordinator of Live Sciences & Environment Sector, KACST. The research revealed that camel genome is approximately 2.2 gigabase (billion nucleotides) in size with remarkable similarities to other reported mammals particularly cattle, and interestingly also possess ~57% shared genes with the human genome, which is a comparable to findings in other sequenced mammals. The Arabian camel genome research project has generated an enormous database of genetic information that will be used to improve camel as well as human health. “The sequencing of the camel genome achieved by KACST and BGI will contribute greatly to the world-wide genomics and post genomics research. We look forward to further expand our understanding of the camel physiological and biochemical characteristics and to bring it to application for the benefit of mankind.” Jian Wang, President, BGI. The completion of the Arabian camel genome will lead to a major breakthrough in the understanding of the exceptional physiological and biochemical characteristics that enable this phenomenal animal to survive in such inhospitable environments as the desert. Further, unlocking the unique aspects of the camel immune system will help to develop new vaccination approaches, novel therapeutic antibodies, and small peptide-based therapy. The camel genome data will also be utilized to reconstruct metabolic pathways for milk production in camel, thereby elucidating genetic aspects of camel milk composition and also help in selective breeding of animals with increased yield of milk. Compared to other dairy animals, the milk from camels is highly nutritious and believed to have remarkable medicinal properties that can help fight diseases like cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's, and hepatitis C. Genomic data will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying camel’s genetic traits such as milk quality and yield, meat and wool production, and physical strength and racing ability. “This achievement propels KACST to the forefront of genomics and post-genomics research” said Dr. Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel, the President of KACST. “We are dedicated to continue to contribute with leading edge research and technologies to the global community in the scientific areas that are most relevant to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
