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

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini with President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska

Slovak Ambassador summoned to Ministry of Foreign Affairs over statements made in Skopje

Slovak Ambassador Vasil Grivna was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over official statements made by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini during his visit to Skopje on October 14. There were unacceptable assessments made..

published on 10/16/25 10:40 AM

Vice President presents the most famous Chinese scholar of Bulgarian studies with an order

On behalf of the Head of State Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Iotova presented the Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, first degree, to Professor Ma Sipu, the press office of the president reported. The award was presented at..

published on 10/16/25 8:50 AM

Bulgarian Air Force celebrates its holiday

On the occasion of the Aviation and Air Force Day on October 16, at 09:00, flowers and wreaths will be laid at the Aviators Monument near the National Assembly in the capital city, the Ministry of Defense reports. The solemn..

published on 10/16/25 6:10 AM