PacBio HiFi Sequencing Powers First Arab Human Pangenome, Published in Nature Communications
PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) has announced a major breakthrough in genomic research with the publication of the first Arab human pangenome in Nature Communications. The study, led by Mohammed Bin Rashid University, utilized PacBio's HiFi long-read sequencing technology to analyze genomes from 53 individuals across eight Arab countries.
The research uncovered 111 million previously unknown base pairs of DNA sequences, 8.94 million small variants, and 235,000 structural variants unique to Arab individuals. The study also identified 883 duplicated genes and over 1,400 base pairs of new mitochondrial DNA. This breakthrough is particularly significant as Arab populations, despite representing 6% of the global population, have been historically underrepresented in genomic research.
PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) ha annunciato una svolta importante nella ricerca genomica con la pubblicazione del primo pangenoma umano arabo su Nature Communications. Lo studio, guidato dalla Mohammed Bin Rashid University, ha utilizzato la tecnologia di sequenziamento a lettura lunga HiFi di PacBio per analizzare i genomi di 53 individui provenienti da otto paesi arabi.
La ricerca ha rivelato 111 milioni di coppie di basi di DNA precedentemente sconosciute, 8,94 milioni di piccole varianti e 235.000 varianti strutturali uniche per gli individui arabi. Lo studio ha inoltre identificato 883 geni duplicati e oltre 1.400 coppie di basi di nuovo DNA mitocondriale. Questa scoperta 猫 particolarmente significativa poich茅 le popolazioni arabe, pur rappresentando il 6% della popolazione mondiale, sono state storicamente sottorappresentate nella ricerca genomica.
PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) ha anunciado un avance significativo en la investigaci贸n gen贸mica con la publicaci贸n del primer pangenoma humano 谩rabe en Nature Communications. El estudio, liderado por la Universidad Mohammed Bin Rashid, utiliz贸 la tecnolog铆a de secuenciaci贸n de lectura larga HiFi de PacBio para analizar genomas de 53 individuos de ocho pa铆ses 谩rabes.
La investigaci贸n descubri贸 111 millones de pares de bases de ADN previamente desconocidos, 8,94 millones de peque帽as variantes y 235,000 variantes estructurales 煤nicas de individuos 谩rabes. El estudio tambi茅n identific贸 883 genes duplicados y m谩s de 1,400 pares de bases de nuevo ADN mitocondrial. Este avance es especialmente importante ya que las poblaciones 谩rabes, a pesar de representar el 6% de la poblaci贸n mundial, han estado hist贸ricamente subrepresentadas en la investigaci贸n gen贸mica.
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PacBio (NASDAQ : PACB) a annonc茅 une avanc茅e majeure en recherche g茅nomique avec la publication du premier pan-g茅nome humain arabe dans Nature Communications. L'茅tude, dirig茅e par l'Universit茅 Mohammed Bin Rashid, a utilis茅 la technologie de s茅quen莽age 脿 lecture longue HiFi de PacBio pour analyser les g茅nomes de 53 individus issus de huit pays arabes.
La recherche a r茅v茅l茅 111 millions de paires de bases d'ADN jusqu'alors inconnues, 8,94 millions de petites variantes et 235 000 variantes structurelles uniques aux individus arabes. L'茅tude a 茅galement identifi茅 883 g猫nes dupliqu茅s et plus de 1 400 paires de bases d'ADN mitochondrial in茅dites. Cette avanc茅e est particuli猫rement significative car les populations arabes, bien qu'elles repr茅sentent 6 % de la population mondiale, ont 茅t茅 historiquement sous-repr茅sent茅es dans la recherche g茅nomique.
PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) hat einen bedeutenden Durchbruch in der Genomforschung bekannt gegeben: die Ver枚ffentlichung des ersten arabischen menschlichen Pangenoms in Nature Communications. Die Studie, geleitet von der Mohammed Bin Rashid University, nutzte PacBios HiFi Langlese-Sequenzierungstechnologie zur Analyse von Genomen von 53 Personen aus acht arabischen L盲ndern.
Die Forschung enth眉llte 111 Millionen bisher unbekannte DNA-Basenpaare, 8,94 Millionen kleine Varianten und 235.000 strukturelle Varianten, die einzigartig f眉r arabische Individuen sind. Zudem wurden 883 duplizierte Gene und 眉ber 1.400 Basenpaare neuer mitochondrialer DNA identifiziert. Dieser Durchbruch ist besonders bedeutsam, da arabische Bev枚lkerungen, obwohl sie 6 % der Weltbev枚lkerung ausmachen, historisch in der Genomforschung unterrepr盲sentiert waren.
- Discovery of 111 million previously unknown base pairs and millions of new genetic variants specific to Arab populations
- Early data shows improved variant detection accuracy using the new UAE Pangenome Reference (UPR)
- Strengthens PacBio's leadership position in global genomics through major pangenome initiatives
- Demonstrates successful commercial adoption of PacBio's Revio platform by early customers
- None.
Insights
PacBio's HiFi sequencing enables groundbreaking Arab pangenome study, strengthening their position in the high-resolution genomics market.
The publication of the first Arab human pangenome in Nature Communications represents a significant technical achievement for PacBio and a valuable scientific contribution. The study utilized PacBio's HiFi long-read sequencing technology to assemble high-resolution genomes from 53 individuals across eight Arab countries, uncovering
What makes this particularly noteworthy is that these variants were largely undetectable using conventional short-read sequencing methods. This highlights the technical differentiation of PacBio's long-read approach, which can capture complex structural variations and previously inaccessible genomic regions. The fact that MBRU was one of PacBio's earliest Revio customers demonstrates real-world validation of their latest sequencing platform.
The creation of population-specific reference genomes represents a growing market opportunity for PacBio. With Arab populations comprising nearly
The study's finding that using the UAE Pangenome Reference improves variant detection accuracy specifically in Arab genomes creates a compelling scientific case for population-specific approaches in genomic medicine 鈥� an area where PacBio's technology appears well-positioned to contribute.
Study reveals millions of previously unknown variants and genomic sequences from underrepresented populations
MENLO PARK, Calif., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB), a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, today announced a significant advancement for global genomic equity. Researchers have published the first Arab human pangenome in , powered in large part by PacBio鈥檚 HiFi long-read sequencing. The study, led by Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai Health, assembled high-resolution genomes from 53 individuals representing diverse Arab populations across eight countries.
This study results in millions of newly identified variants and over 111 million base pairs of previously unsequenced DNA, in genomic regions that were missing from widely used human references.
鈥淢BRU鈥檚 work demonstrates why population-specific pangenomes matter,鈥� said Christian Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of PacBio. 鈥淲e are proud that MBRU, one of our earliest Revio customers, has delivered such a historic contribution to global genomics. This study will have lasting impact for research and precision medicine in a historically underrepresented population.鈥�
Despite comprising nearly
- 111聽million base pairs of uncharacterized human genome sequences absent from existing human pangenomes, the T2T-CHM13 and GRCh38 reference human genomes and large-scale databases.
- 8.94 million small and 235,000 structural variants unique to Arab individuals, many undetectable by short-read methods.
- 883 duplicated genes, including TAF11L5, found in every individual studied and potentially linked to recessive disease.
- Over 1,400 base pairs of new mitochondrial DNA, adding resolution to maternal lineage tracking in Arab populations.
These findings have far-reaching implications for understanding disease risk, diagnosing rare conditions, and improving representation in global health research.
鈥淏y creating a high-resolution Arab pangenome we鈥檙e giving researchers and clinicians a tool to make precision medicine more equitable,鈥� said Dr. Mohammed Uddin, senior author of the study and associate professor of human genetics at MBRU. 鈥淭his achievement depended on long-read technologies, notably PacBio鈥檚 high quality HiFi sequencing, which allowed us to capture the full complexity of the genome, including structural variation and previously hidden sequences.鈥�
Compared to existing references, the Arab pangenome, or UAE Pangenome Reference (UPR) delivered improved mapping rates, better variant recall, and greater insight into regions tied to recessive disease, many of which are more prevalent in Arab populations due to genetic structure and inheritance patterns.
It is freely available and intended to support ongoing research into genetic disorders, disease predisposition, and population health. Early data suggests that using the UPR as a reference can significantly increase variant detection accuracy in Arab genomes, helping researchers and clinicians better interpret genetic data from this population.
The publication follows other major pangenome initiatives supported by PacBio, including contributions to the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium (HPRC) and the Chinese Pangenome Consortium (CPC), further affirming PacBio鈥檚 leadership in global genomics.
About PacBio
PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) is a premier life science technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced sequencing solutions to help scientists and clinical researchers resolve genetically complex problems. Our products and technologies, which include our HiFi long-read sequencing, address solutions across a broad set of research applications including human germline sequencing, plant and animal sciences, infectious disease and microbiology, oncology, and other emerging applications. For more information, please visit and follow @PacBio.
PacBio products are provided for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains 鈥渇orward-looking statements鈥� within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the uses, advantages, quality or performance of, or the benefits or expected benefits of using, PacBio products or technologies, including in connection with the Arab human pangenome publication and its anticipated impact on medical research, precision medicine, and increased variant detection, and other future events. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from currently anticipated results. These risks include, but are not limited to, rapidly changing technologies and extensive competition in genomic sequencing; unanticipated increases in costs or expenses; and other risks associated with general macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical instability. Additional factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in PacBio's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including PacBio's most recent reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K, and 10-Q, and include those listed under the caption 鈥淩isk Factors.鈥� These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof; except as required by law, PacBio disclaims any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.
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