Maltese origins [Editorial]

Abstract

Some research can change how a society perceives itself. Such discoveries do not happen often. Over the last few years DNA samples from hundreds of Maltese people have been sequenced. The data has set in stone the origin of the Maltese people. Read about it in the first article (pg. 19) of our focus on The Maltese Genome. The other focus articles talk about genes for health. A University of Malta team found a novel mutation in local families connected to the blood disorder thalassaemia (pg. 26), which can lead to death in the worst cases. The researchers are trying to determin how to use this knowledge in patients suffering from the condition. Other work focuses on heart disease (pg. 32). Malta has one of the highest rates of heart attack-related deaths in Europe. A Maltese study is trying to determine which gene alterations common in Malta increase risk. Knowledge is power for treatment.