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Ramsay M, Crampin AC, Bawah AA, Gitau E, Herbst K. The Value Proposition of Coordinated Population Cohorts Across Africa. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2024; 7:277-294. [PMID: 39178423 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-020722-015026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2024]
Abstract
Building longitudinal population cohorts in Africa for coordinated research and surveillance can influence the setting of national health priorities, lead to the introduction of appropriate interventions, and provide evidence for targeted treatment, leading to better health across the continent. However, compared to cohorts from the global north, longitudinal continental African population cohorts remain scarce, are relatively small in size, and lack data complexity. As infections and noncommunicable diseases disproportionately affect Africa's approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants, African cohorts present a unique opportunity for research and surveillance. High genetic diversity in African populations and multiomic research studies, together with detailed phenotyping and clinical profiling, will be a treasure trove for discovery. The outcomes, including novel drug targets, biological pathways for disease, and gene-environment interactions, will boost precision medicine approaches, not only in Africa but across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michèle Ramsay
- Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;
| | - Amelia C Crampin
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Ayaga A Bawah
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evelyn Gitau
- African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kobus Herbst
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- South African Population Research Infrastructure Network, Department of Science and Innovation and South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
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2
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Lusiki Z, Blom D, Soko ND, Malema S, Jones E, Rayner B, Blackburn J, Sinxadi P, Dandara MT, Dandara C. Major Genetic Drivers of Statin Treatment Response in African Populations and Pharmacogenetics of Dyslipidemia Through a One Health Lens. OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2024; 28:261-279. [PMID: 37956269 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2023.0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
A One Health lens is increasingly significant to address the intertwined challenges in planetary health concerned with the health of humans, nonhuman animals, plants, and ecosystems. A One Health approach can benefit the public health systems in Africa that are overburdened by noncommunicable, infectious, and environmental diseases. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the previously overlooked two-fold importance of pharmacogenetics (PGx), for individually tailored treatment of noncommunicable diseases and environmental pathogens. For example, dyslipidemia, a common cardiometabolic risk factor, has been identified as an independent COVID-19 severity risk factor. Observational data suggest that patients with COVID-19 infection receiving lipid-lowering therapy may have better outcomes. However, among African patients, the response to these drugs varies from patient to patient, pointing to the possible contribution of genetic variation in important pharmacogenes. The PGx of lipid-lowering therapies may underlie differences in treatment responses observed among dyslipidemia patients as well as patients comorbid with COVID-19 and dyslipidemia. Genetic variations in APOE, ABCB1, CETP, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, HMGCR, LDLR, NPC1L1, and SLCO1B1 genes affect the pharmacogenomics of statins, and they have individually been linked to differential responses to dyslipidemia and COVID-19 treatment. African populations are underrepresented in PGx research. This leads to poor accounting of additional diverse genetic variants that could be important in understanding interindividual and between-population variations in therapeutic responses to dyslipidemia and COVID-19. This expert review examines and synthesizes the salient and priority PGx variations, as seen through a One Health lens in Africa, to improve and inform personalized medicine in both dyslipidemia and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizo Lusiki
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dirk Blom
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Lipidology and Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nyarai D Soko
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Smangele Malema
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Erika Jones
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian Rayner
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Blackburn
- Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phumla Sinxadi
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michelle T Dandara
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
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3
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Islam M, Valiani AA, Datta R, Chowdhury M, Turin TC. Ethical and Equitable Digital Health Research: Ensuring Self-Determination in Data Governance for Racialized Communities. Camb Q Healthc Ethics 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38567458 DOI: 10.1017/s096318012400015x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies highlight the need for ethical and equitable digital health research that protects the rights and interests of racialized communities. We argue for practices in digital health that promote data self-determination for these communities, especially in data collection and management. We suggest that researchers partner with racialized communities to curate data that reflects their wellness understandings and health priorities, and respects their consent over data use for policy and other outcomes. These data governance approach honors and builds on Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS) decolonial scholarship by Indigenous and non-indigenous researchers and its adaptations to health research involving racialized communities from former European colonies in the global South. We discuss strategies to practice equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and decolonization (EDIAD) principles in digital health. We draw upon and adapt the concept of Precision Health Equity (PHE) to emphasize models of data sharing that are co-defined by racialized communities and researchers, and stress their shared governance and stewardship of data that is generated from digital health research. This paper contributes to an emerging research on equity issues in digital health and reducing health, institutional, and technological disparities. It also promotes the self-determination of racialized peoples through ethical data management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mozharul Islam
- Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Sociology, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Arafaat A Valiani
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of History, Department of Indigenous, Race and Ethnic Studies, Global Health Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Ranjan Datta
- Canada Research Chair in Community Disaster Research at the Indigenous Studies, Department of Humanities, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada
| | - Mohammad Chowdhury
- Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tanvir C Turin
- Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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4
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Kabbashi S, Roomaney IA, Chetty M. Bridging the gap between omics research and dental practice. BDJ Open 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38438363 PMCID: PMC10912736 DOI: 10.1038/s41405-024-00199-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM The burgeoning field of omics research has witnessed exponential growth in both medicine and dentistry. However, despite more than a decade of advancements, clinical dentistry, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), has seen limited progress in integrating omics-based approaches into routine practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the integration of omics approaches in dentistry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for translating research findings into clinical practice. METHODS we conducted a literature review using key databases to provide a brief overview of the history of genomics in dentistry. Additionally, we summarised recent breakthroughs in omics relevant to oral health practitioners, emphasising the inadequate translation of omics research into clinical practice. RESULTS Despite significant growth in omics research in both medicine and dentistry, its translation into routine clinical practice in dentistry remains limited. We summarise recent breakthroughs in omics and highlight the gap between research advancements and clinical implementation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The integration of omics approaches holds promise for enhancing diagnostics, personalised treatment strategies, and preventive measures in dental practice, ushering in a new era of precision oral healthcare. However, several challenges, including infrastructure limitations, cost-effectiveness, and education gaps, hinder the widespread adoption of omics-based approaches in clinical dentistry. A strong commitment to transforming dentistry is required to embrace this transition. This shift has the potential to revolutionise oral healthcare by advancing precision diagnostics and treatment strategies tailored to individual patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kabbashi
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology, and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - I A Roomaney
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology, and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M Chetty
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology, and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Thami PK, Choga WT, Dandara C, O’Brien SJ, Essex M, Gaseitsiwe S, Chimusa ER. Whole genome sequencing reveals population diversity and variation in HIV-1 specific host genes. Front Genet 2023; 14:1290624. [PMID: 38179408 PMCID: PMC10765519 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1290624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
HIV infection continues to be a major global public health issue. The population heterogeneity in susceptibility or resistance to HIV-1 and progression upon infection is attributable to, among other factors, host genetic variation. Therefore, identifying population-specific variation and genetic modifiers of HIV infectivity can catapult the invention of effective strategies against HIV-1 in African populations. Here, we investigated whole genome sequences of 390 unrelated HIV-positive and -negative individuals from Botswana. We report 27.7 million single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in the complete genomes of Botswana nationals, of which 2.8 million were missing in public databases. Our population structure analysis revealed a largely homogenous structure in the Botswana population. Admixture analysis showed elevated components shared between the Botswana population and the Niger-Congo (65.9%), Khoe-San (32.9%), and Europeans (1.1%) ancestries in the population of Botswana. Statistical significance of the mutational burden of deleterious and loss-of-function variants per gene against a null model was estimated. The most deleterious variants were enriched in five genes: ACTRT2 (the Actin Related Protein T2), HOXD12 (homeobox D12), ABCB5 (ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 5), ATP8B4 (ATPase phospholipid transporting 8B4) and ABCC12 (ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 12). These genes are enriched in the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis (p < 2.84e-6) pathways and therefore, may contribute to the emerging field of immunometabolism in which therapy against HIV-1 infection is being evaluated. Published transcriptomic evidence supports the role of the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways in the regulation of susceptibility to HIV, and that cumulative effects of genetic modifiers in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways may potentially have effects on the expression and clinical variability of HIV-1. Identified genes and pathways provide novel avenues for other interventions, with the potential for informing the design of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca K. Thami
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wonderful T. Choga
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/SAMRC Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation (PREMED) Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stephen J. O’Brien
- Laboratory of Genomics Diversity, Center for Computer Technologies, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - Myron Essex
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health AIDS Initiative, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health AIDS Initiative, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emile R. Chimusa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
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Nembaware V, Bennett D, Chimusa ER, Chikowore T, Daodu R, Bitoungui VN, Williams SM, Fatumo S, Healy S, Seoighe C, Wonkam A. The African Society of Human Genetics successfully launches global data science workshops. Trends Genet 2023; 39:803-807. [PMID: 37714735 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
To accelerate the impact of African genomics on human health, data science skills and awareness of Africa's rich genetic diversity must be strengthened globally. We describe the first African genomics data science workshop, implemented by the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) and international partners, providing a framework for future workshops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Nembaware
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, 1 Anzio Road, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Declan Bennett
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway H91 H3CY, Ireland
| | - Emile R Chimusa
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Tinashe Chikowore
- Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Richard Daodu
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria; African center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Valential Ngo Bitoungui
- Department of Microbiology, Hematology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Université de Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon; National Public Health Laboratory, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Scott M Williams
- Departments of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Institute of Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Segun Fatumo
- The African Computational Genomics (TACG) Research Group, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Sandra Healy
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway H91 H3CY, Ireland
| | - Cathal Seoighe
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway H91 H3CY, Ireland
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- McKusick-Nathans Institute and Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Katsukunya JN, Soko ND, Naidoo J, Rayner B, Blom D, Sinxadi P, Chimusa ER, Dandara M, Dzobo K, Jones E, Dandara C. Pharmacogenomics of Hypertension in Africa: Paving the Way for a Pharmacogenetic-Based Approach for the Treatment of Hypertension in Africans. Int J Hypertens 2023; 2023:9919677. [PMID: 38633331 PMCID: PMC11022520 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9919677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In Africa, the burden of hypertension has been rising at an alarming rate for the last two decades and is a major cause for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity. Hypertension is characterised by elevated blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140/90 mmHg. Current hypertension guidelines recommend the use of antihypertensives belonging to the following classes: calcium channel blockers (CCB), angiotensin converting inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), diuretics, β-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), to manage hypertension. Still, a considerable number of hypertensives in Africa have their BP uncontrolled due to poor drug response and remain at the risk of CVD events. Genetic factors are a major contributing factor, accounting for 20% to 80% of individual variability in therapy and poor response. Poor response to antihypertensive drug therapy is characterised by elevated BPs and occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). As a result, there have been numerous studies which have examined the role of genetic variation and its influence on antihypertensive drug response. These studies are predominantly carried out in non-African populations, including Europeans and Asians, with few or no Africans participating. It is important to note that the greatest genetic diversity is observed in African populations as well as the highest prevalence of hypertension. As a result, this warrants a need to focus on how genetic variation affects response to therapeutic interventions used to manage hypertension in African populations. In this paper, we discuss the implications of genetic diversity in CYP11B2, GRK4, NEDD4L, NPPA, SCNN1B, UMOD, CYP411, WNK, CYP3A4/5, ACE, ADBR1/2, GNB3, NOS3, B2, BEST3, SLC25A31, LRRC15 genes, and chromosome 12q loci on hypertension susceptibility and response to antihypertensive therapy. We show that African populations are poorly explored genetically, and for the few characterised genes, they exhibit qualitative and quantitative differences in the profile of pharmacogene variants when compared to other ethnic groups. We conclude by proposing prioritization of pharmacogenetics research in Africa and possible adoption of pharmacogenetic-guided therapies for hypertension in African patients. Finally, we outline the implications, challenges, and opportunities these studies present for populations of non-European descent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N. Katsukunya
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nyarai D. Soko
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jashira Naidoo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian Rayner
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dirk Blom
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Lipidology and Cape Heart Institute, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phumla Sinxadi
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Emile R. Chimusa
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Michelle Dandara
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kevin Dzobo
- Medical Research Council-SA Wound Healing Unit, Hair and Skin Research Laboratory, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town, Anzio Road Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Erika Jones
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Wonkam A, Adeyemo A. Leveraging our common African origins to understand human evolution and health. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100278. [PMID: 36950382 PMCID: PMC10025516 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
In the March 2023 issue of Cell, Fan et al.1 report whole-genome sequencing across 12 indigenous African populations and analyze local adaptation and evolutionary history. Here, Wonkam and Adeyemo highlight their findings and how this contributes to African and global genomic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambroise Wonkam
- McKusick-Nathans Institute & Department of Genetic Medicine. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Adebowale Adeyemo
- Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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9
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Sirugo G, Wonkam A. Beyond Race: A Wake-up Call for Drug Therapy Informed by Genotyping. Ann Intern Med 2022; 175:1187-1188. [PMID: 35724383 DOI: 10.7326/m22-1827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Sirugo
- Institute of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, and Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- McKusick-Nathans Institute and Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Wonkam A, Bardien S, Diallo RN, Gaye A, Alimohamed MZ, Kya S, Makani J, Landoure G, Mutesa L, El-Kamah G, Mohamed A, Newport M, Williams SM, Ramsay M, Nembaware V. "Black Lives Matter and Black Research Matters": the African Society of Human Genetics' call to halt racism in science. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:vo2. [PMID: 35862495 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-04-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) was formed to provide a forum for human genetics and genomics scientists in Africa to interact, network, and collaborate. This is critical to facilitate development of solutions to the public health burden of many rare and common diseases across the continent. AfSHG fully supports the Black Lives Matter movement, which is dedicated to fighting racism and ensuring that society values the lives and humanity of Black people. The AfSHG would like to add its "voice" to the public outcry against racism sparked by George Floyd's death and to declare its commitment to ensuring that injustice and systematic racism, as well as abuse and exploitation of Africans and their biological material, are no longer tolerated. This is particularly relevant now as African genomic variation is poised to make significant contributions across several disciplines including ancestry, personalized medicine, and novel drug discovery. "Black Lives Matter and Black Research Matters" is AfSHG's call for the global community to support halting, and reversing, the perpetuation of exploitation of African people through neocolonial malpractices in genomic research. We also propose five key ways to curb racism in science, so that we can move forward together, with a common humanity, collectively embracing scientific endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.,McKusick-Nathans Institute and Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Soraya Bardien
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
| | - Rokhaya Ndiaye Diallo
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar P. O. Box 5005, Senegal
| | - Amadou Gaye
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Mohamed Zahir Alimohamed
- Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Medicine, MUHAS, Dar es Saalam P. O. Box 65001, Tanzania.,Department of Research and Training, Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, Dar es Salaam P. O. Box 581, Tanzania
| | - Siana Kya
- Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Medicine, MUHAS, Dar es Saalam P. O. Box 65001, Tanzania
| | - Julie Makani
- Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Medicine, MUHAS, Dar es Saalam P. O. Box 65001, Tanzania
| | - Guida Landoure
- Hopital du point G, University of Bamako, Bamako P. O. Box 333, Mali
| | - Leon Mutesa
- Center for Human Genetics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali P. O. Box 4285, Rwanda
| | - Ghada El-Kamah
- Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amal Mohamed
- Brighton & Sussex Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Sussex, BN1 9RH, UK
| | - Melanie Newport
- Brighton & Sussex Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Sussex, BN1 9RH, UK
| | - Scott M Williams
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Institute of Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 44106 OH
| | - Michele Ramsay
- Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
| | - Victoria Nembaware
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
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