Breaking new ground, scientists from Dhaka’s Child Health Research Foundation (CHRF) have successfully generated Bangladesh’s inaugural single-cell genomics data.
Part of a global consortium including Harvard University, MIT, and Boston Children’s Hospital, CHRF’s pioneering work contributes to the creation of a pediatric atlas for nasal and oral mucosa, funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Dr. Senjuti Saha, CHRF’s Director and Senior Scientist, emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating that while oral and nasal mucosa are crucial interfaces for environmental and microbial interactions, comprehensive data across diverse ancestries has been lacking.
“This project not only deepens our comprehension of pediatric nasal and oral mucosa at a cellular level but also enriches the Human Cell Atlas data from South Asia,” Dr. Saha remarked, highlighting the equal partnership between CHRF and its research collaborators.
In a significant accolade, Dr. Senjuti’s appointment to the Polio Transition Independent Monitoring Board (TIMB) in 2021 marked a historic milestone as the first Bangladeshi to serve in this capacity. The TIMB, established by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, oversees and advises on polio transition planning—a testament to Dr. Senjuti’s expertise and leadership in global health initiatives.
