Malaysian obesity DNA bank; Towards developing anti obese nation wide strategy

• Main Authors: Atif, Amin Baig, Ahmad Zubaidi, A.latif, Nordin, Simbak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: QH426 Genetics; R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5859/1/FH02-FP-18-13166.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5859/
• Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

The pathophysiology of obesity being multifaceted disorder involves intricate choreography of environmental, behavioural and genetic factors. The genetics factors may influence metabolism or diet intake thus leading to increased adiposity. In order to understand the interaction and role of different candidate genes reported to be involved in obesity, there is a need to get the complete pattern for a better understanding of the genetics factors associated with obesity. To develop the Malaysian obesity DNA bank for future studies on obesity towards developing anti-obesity nation-wide strategy. Malay subjects have been recruited from Terengganu after the approval of ethical approvals from respective agencies and departments. The samples have been recruited in three stages; pre-screening via official letters and phone connections on the basis of promotion of health knowledge. It has been followed by screening phase via BMI calculations as per WHO criterion. The Last phase has been enrolment of subjects to be involved in obesity research. Till date we have recruited a total of 450 samples as per inclusion and exclusion criterion beside, the control samples from normal healthy individuals who are not tested for genotypically normality but are phenotypically normal. The data is well curated and recorded with the index number of sample and subject indexing to access samples, when required. Samples are stored well as per regulation of DNA storage. We have developed successfully the first Malaysian obesity DNA bank at faculty of medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin for obesity related. The future undertakings will be focusing to provide a free service for the genetic pattern of their obesity status.