The Egyptian Armed Forces announced the establishment of the country's first-ever automated biobank at the Armed Forces Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), also the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa.
The pioneering, fully-automated biobank was established in cooperation with German Askion and Egyptian Miralab companies, according to a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces Spokesman Gharib Abdel-Hafez.
The bank was created per the March 2021 directives of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to establish a reference genome project for Egyptians, the Armed Forces spokesman explained.
The establishment of a reference genetic map for Egyptians will aid in treating various types of illnesses and identifying genetic factors affecting susceptibility to epidemic diseases.
The bank will be vital in storing all types of samples used in scientific research for many years, thus facilitating the study of bio samples without fear of being damaged, according to the spokesperson.
"This accomplishment comes within the framework of keenness of the political leadership to improve the system of scientific research in Egypt in light of the establishment of a new republic," Abdel-Hafez added.
Source: The Egyptian Gazette
