On Saturday, July 13, the community of Quilombo Brotas (SP) will take part in an action aimed at incorporating the genetic diversity of quilombola peoples into the largest and most diverse biobank in Latin America

Brazilian startup gen-t is organizing a special event at Quilombro Brotas in Itatiba. The action is part of the gen-t do Brasil project, led by Professor Lygia Pereira, head of Human Genetics at the University of São Paulo (USP) and CEO of gen-t, a biotechnology startup that is building a platform with genomic and health data to foster research and innovation based on the genomic diversity of the Brazilian population.

Quilombo Brotas, recognized as Brazil’s first urban quilombo, is a symbol of resistance and culture. The gen-t action aims to collect genetic data from quilombola residents, promoting a more inclusive and diverse representation of the Brazilian population in the field of genomic research. This initiative is a crucial step towards ensuring that the benefits of precision medicine are widely distributed and accessible to all ethnic groups.

“It’s an honor for us at Gen-t to collaborate with Quilombo Brotas, a historical landmark of resistance and culture in Brazil. Incorporating quilombola genetic diversity into our biobank is fundamental to promoting inclusion and innovation in health,” said Lygia Pereira, founder and CEO of Gen-t.

Project brings Brazil’s diversity to innovation in research and precision medicine

The aim of the gen-t do Brasil project is to recruit 200,000 volunteers from different regions of the country over four years, who will share their health and behavioral data and donate blood for plasma storage and DNA sequencing.

“The project’s findings could translate into the development of new, more effective, more specific and more intelligent medicines. And best of all: this is not a benefit for the individual, it’s a benefit for everyone,” explains Lygia Pereira, CEO of gen-t and Professor of Human Genetics at the University of São Paulo (USP).

All participants will be followed up for five years, with various laboratory tests being carried out – such as a complete blood count, cholesterol assessment and tests for diabetes – as well as blood pressure measurement, heart rate mapping and analysis of Body Mass Index (BMI) and abdominal circumference.

gen-t platform

The gen-t platform will be the largest database of genetic variants in a population in Latin America. This will contribute significantly to the development of projects involving new drugs, medical genetics, population genetics, pharmacogenetics and precision medicine.

In addition, the bank will have an international impact as it is the first human population to be sequenced that is highly miscegenated and at the same time neglected in current major genomic studies.

The project has been implemented in Vinhedo (SP), Monte Sião (MG), Engenheiro Coelho (SP), Hortolândia (SP) and a pilot project in Manacapuru (AM). So far, 9,500 participants have been recruited.

About gen-t

Gen-t is a Brazilian biotech startup dedicated to building the largest and most diverse private biobank in Latin America. Founded by Lygia Pereira, the company’s mission is to promote inclusion and genomic diversity in precision medicine, accelerating innovation in the health sector.

For more information, please visit our website at www.gen-t.science.

Service

Quilombo Brotas
R. Filomena Zupardo, 795 – Jardim Santa Filomena, Itatiba
Date: July 13 (Saturday) from 7am to 12pm, on July 13, a Saturday