Cypriot genetic experts praised on Friday the importance of DNA research in disease diagnosis and treatment.
''DNA research offers many promising prospects in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases,'' Philippos Patsalis, Chief Executive Medical Director of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, said at a press conference here today to present the Institute's work on the occasion of the World DNA day, celebrated on April 25.
Referring to the achievements of the Institute, Patsalis recalled a publication of the Cytogenetics and Genomics Department, which he heads, on a pioneering worldwide Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis for Down syndrome, which constitutes ''a milestone in prenatal diagnosis.''
He said that the Institute has the biggest infrastructure in the region and enjoys international recognition in the field of genetics.
Furthermore, the President of the Institute's Molecular Genetics, Function & Therapy department Leonidas Phylactou said that his department staff has traced unique errors in genes which are responsible for hereditary diabetes, without elaborating on the matter as the results of the research have not been officially published.
Phylactou, whose team has reenacted muscle cells with genetic therapy with a new mechanism which can be utilized for muscle reinvigoration, has achieved genetic characterization of endogrinological diseases in Cypriots.
Replying to questions, Phylaktou said that the findings on adrenal hyperplasia are already published, adding that one of the endogrinological diseases is hereditary diabetes.
''Our aim is – having established that these genetic errors are unique – to study the damage they cause to cells,'' he added.
Concerning the effects of radiation on humans, Patsalis said great exposure to radiation damages vital organs, including DNA mutation.
''The exposure of cells to radiation is the easiest way to cause DNA errors, which could pass on from one generation to the next, which means miscarriages or birth of children with serious genetic problems,'' he added.
''Radiation is the worst factor which could create changes to DNA or the body or the reproductive cells,'' he said.
