PacBio has been selected as a technology partner by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC) to support its North African Dementia Registry (NADR) project — the first registry of its kind in the region focused on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Addressing the diversity gap in dementia research

Led by DAC, the initiative brings together The American University in Cairo’s Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology (I-GHHE) and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London. The goal is to build a high-quality, multi-omics dataset that captures genetic and environmental factors influencing Alzheimer’s in underrepresented populations across North Africa.

“Over time, these insights will inform locally relevant prevention and intervention strategies for communities often overlooked in global research efforts,” said Vaibhav Narayan, Executive Vice President at DAC.

Egypt, with its population of more than 110 million, is a key contributor to the registry. Researchers plan to collect biosamples, conduct cognitive assessments, and deploy digital phenotyping tools to support the development of personalized care approaches.

PacBio’s long-read sequencing to power genomic discovery

PacBio’s high-fidelity long-read sequencing technology will play a central role in generating the genomic data required for the project. By capturing complex genetic variants often missed by short-read technologies, PacBio’s platform is expected to support the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

“Our technology is uniquely suited to deliver the high-quality genomic data needed to explore the complex genetic landscape of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Neil Ward, Vice President and General Manager of EMEA at PacBio. “We are proud to support DAC, AUC, and UCL in their mission to drive meaningful discovery.”

Data for global access and impact

All data generated will be made available through the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative (ADDI), a platform offering secure global access to researchers focused on advancing neurodegenerative disease research.

Dr Mie Rizig, NADR lead at UCL, emphasized the scientific importance of robust datasets. “With PacBio’s technology and workflows, we can accelerate our understanding of the genetic architecture of populations in North Africa and uncover potential therapeutic targets.”

Professor Mohamed Salama, NADR lead at AUC, added: “This collaboration will not only benefit Egypt but also support a broader understanding of dementia in both African and Middle Eastern contexts.”

The partnership marks a significant step forward in global brain health equity, reinforcing DAC’s mission to drive collaborative solutions to the global challenge of dementia.