Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Unlocking the Bulgarian genome:

Scientists to identify Bulgaria's collective genetic blueprint

Photo: Ministry of Education and Science

More than 400 participants in Sofia and Plovdiv have joined the first phase of "The Bulgarian Genome" project, which aims to collect and analyse a representative sample of the genomes of modern Bulgarians.

The project involves extensive sequencing of DNA isolated from blood samples to identify all variations.

In the first phase, one thousand healthy Bulgarian adults will be tested. "The Bulgarian Genome Initiative is part of a large-scale European project in which each country will submit a reference genome typical of its population.

"This is a chance for each of us to contribute to the health of our children, to our future as a nation, because donating our genetic data will help the development of medicine," said prof. Radka Kaneva, project leader. The samples will be used for research on genetic diseases, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Bulgarian project team includes scientists from the Medical Universities of Sofia and Plovdiv. The Molecular Medicine Centre (MMC) at the Medical University - Sofia will carry out the genome reading, data processing and storage under guaranteed confidentiality.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria reaps success at EXPO 2025 in Japan

Having made a triumphant return to EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan, after 55 years, Bulgaria's pavilion at the world expo is enjoying huge interest. "The investment interest of Japanese entrepreneurs shows that we are on the right track," said Deputy..

published on 4/15/25 3:05 PM
Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova

Finance Minister Petkova confirms Bulgaria's readiness for eurozone integration

Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova has announced that Bulgaria is ready to join the eurozone. She made the statement at a business breakfast hosted by the American and British Chambers of Commerce in Bulgaria. Minister Petkova emphasised that Bulgaria..

published on 4/15/25 1:37 PM

The new ambassador of Italy has presented his credentials.

Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Shekerletova received the credentials of the new Italian Ambassador in Sofia, Marcello Apicella, the Foreign Ministry said. During the talks, both sides expressed satisfaction with the long-standing friendly relations and..

published on 4/15/25 1:20 PM