Dr Rym Kefi is an Assistant Professor at Pasteur Institute of Tunis since 2009. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree with honors in Biology at the University of Tunis in June 2000. She was offered a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Molecular Anthropology in U600 INSERM, Marseille, France. Her Master’s thesis (June 2001) focused on the Study of Ancient DNA obtained from Middle Age French skeletons with dislocation of the hip. She continued her doctoral studies in the same laboratory where she worked on Mitochondrial DNA diversity in current and ancient human populations (6000-15000 years) in North Africa. She carried out her first post-doctoral training (February 2005 - January 2006) in UR088 at Research and Development Institute (IRD) in France. She studied ancient DNA of paleo-berbere skeletons (4500 years) exhumed from archaeological site in Tataouine (Southern Tunisia). In February 2006, she joined the Molecular Investigation of Orphan Genetic Diseases Laboratory in Pasteur Institute in Tunis as a researcher. She is mainly involved in research on human genetic disorders, genetic diversity in North Africa, and genetic typing in forensic. She is co-coordinating a NEPAD/NABnet project on the genetic basis of Type 2 Diabetes in five North African countries, and a bilateral Tunisian-Moroccan partnership on Human orphan diseases and mitochondrial DNA diversity in Tunisia and Morocco. Since January 2012, she has contributed to two European Projects (FP7): The first on “the Genetic and Environmental Factors of Insulin Resistance Syndrome and its long-term complications in immigrant Mediterranean populations (FP7- Proposal No 279171-1). The second on Reinforcing IPT capacities in genomic medicine, non-communicable diseases and international cooperation (FP7- Proposal No 295097). Rym Kefi is also involved in training and teaching activities. She is an author (Co-author) of more than 20 publications.

The Tunisian population is characterized by a high level of genetic heterogeneity due to multidirectional migratory flow, and by a high prevalence of genetic disorders due to consanguinity and endogamy. These disorders are physically and socially disabling, and their impact on health care is costly. Our research activity mainly focuses on three programs. One on genomic approach to monogenic disorders such as genodermatosis, metabolic diseases, DNA repair diseases and neurosensory disorders. The second on the study of genetic factors predisposing to multifactorial disorders such as Type 2 diabetes, Metabolic syndrome and cancer. The third on the DNA typing for forensic applications. Training through research activities are ensured by tutoring Master and PhD students as well as undergraduate students for various universities in Tunisia but also from neighboring countries. Our laboratory contributed to the molecular characterization of genetic diseases in the Tunisian population, thus providing tools for the diagnosis of genetic diseases with an impact in preventing disabilities. Our activity is performed in the frame of national networks including collaborators from Northern, Central, and Southern Tunisia, as is the case of the study of Fanconi Anemia (www.fanconi-tunisie.net). Our activities are also conduct within regional networks such as the NEPAD/NABNet on “Multidisciplinary investigation of the genetic risk factors of Type 2 diabetes and its complications in North Africa” that was conducted in collaboration with four North African centers from Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. Since the beginning of 2012, we are involved in a Euro-Mediterranean network funded by EC on “the genetic and environmental factors of insulin resistance syndrome and its long-term complications in immigrant Mediterranean populations (www. Medigene-fp7.eu/). International cooperation is a unique opportunity to develop local competencies and build capacities in new disciplines in particular genomics and bioinformatics. This activity is ensured with the support of E.C. FP7 project “on reinforcing institutional capacities in genomic medicine, non-communicable diseases, and international cooperation (www.genomedika.org).