Early Detection of Fibroid in Ghana Based on a New Gene Mutation

In Ghana our attention is constantly being drawn to the issue of fibroid through the many radio and television advertisements, claiming mainly unproven treatments for fibroid. While data on the prevalence rate of fibroid is not readily available, a cursory assessment of the rate of discussions on the issue in the media suggests a significantly high levels in Ghana.

Fibroid can affects the ability of a woman to bear children and it occurs at many sites and in different sizes in the uterus. Like many other tumors, early detection is key to effective treatment. Many women only became aware of the existence of fibroid when they take a scan, by which stage the size would have become too big to allow uncomplicated treatment.

A recent discovery by scientist in the US state of  Illinois, at the Northwestern University  Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital provides a key to early detection of fibroid. A single gene called MED12 carries a mutation which when present in a stem cell of the uterus can initiate the fibroid tumor. Those interested in more

details can look at this link: 

(http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0036935) 

This means that the presence of this specific defective gene can predict who is likely to develop a fibroid at some stage of their life. The great opportunity presented by this discovery is that young girls or women can go in for a test to determine

the type of MED12 gene they carry. 

In a recent seminar, I have learnt of a laboratory in Ghana called City of Hope Medical Complex and Research Center. They conduct genetic testing covering diseases such as sickle cell anemia as well as paternity and forensic DNA testing.  While I do not claim that they presently offer MED12 testing, their presence in Ghana means that the requisite expertise exist to ensure that those interested in this early detection opportunity can have one.

I hope you find this information helpful. Timely information can be a life saver.

Thank you

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Patrick Kobina Arthur (PhD),

parthur14@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PAKARLab 

Supporting Biomedical Research In Ghana

In our effort to contribute to the control and the eventual eradication of infectious

disease in Ghana, we at the PAKARLab in the University of Ghana are applying

for funding to build our research capacity.

In connection with this, we have an application for funding to the Grand Challenges Canada.

This grant competition involves public engagement to generate awareness on the 

idea we have as researcher to impact public health.

Our project title is:

Analysis of Drug-resistance mechanisms and the Discovery of Novel Anti-Infectives 

Using Mass Spec-based Proteomics Platform

We will build capacity by establishing a Mass Spectrometry based Proteomics Lab in Ghana. And undertake top-rate research to determine the molecular basis of drug resistance in many infectious pathogens especially Mycobacteria, in addition to the isolation of novel anti-infective agents to combat multi-drug resistant pathogenic microbes.

We aim to implement this project by employing the approaches and techniques that

best saturates the entire scope of the actual problem. Cut to the heart of it all. 

We have the knowledge, skills and the discipline to achieve this goal.

Give us thumbs up to win a grant from Grand Challenges Canada at the link below:

http://rs.applications.grandchallenges.ca/en/viewVideo/28735E6AA7E837A8D99BE8

Please visit our Facebook page to share ideas and to team up to solve some

societal problems.

Thank you

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Patrick Kobina Arthur (PhD),
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PAKARLab