London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Genomic research has revolutionized our understanding of complex diseases, enabling precise identification of genetic variants associated with susceptibility and progression. However, the majority of these studies have focused on populations of European descent, leading to a significant knowledge gap in genomic architecture within diverse populations, particularly African cohorts. As a result, the many underrepresented populations may miss out on the potential benefits of genomic research, such as a better understanding of disease aetiology, early detection and diagnosis, rational drug design, and improved clinical care. African populations exhibit substantial genetic diversity, reflecting ancient population history and evolutionary adaptations. As such, investigating genomic variations in Africa populations is essential for comprehensive gene mapping and risk profiling relevant to complex diseases. 

To improve representation of Africans in genomic studies, new African cohorts, biobank and genomic initiatives are emerging from indigenous African populations. In this presentation, the speaker will discuss the importance of genomic diversity and how they are using Africa's limited human genome resource to 1) discover novel disease susceptibility genetic loci, 2) refine association signals at new and existing loci, 3) develop and test polygenic scores to determine disease risk, 4) assess causal relationships in diseases, and 5) develop capacity for genomics research in Africa and how their understanding the genetic underpinnings of diseases in African populations can provide insights into global health disparities and help develop region-specific interventions and therapies. 

Speaker

Segun Fatumo, Associate Professor, LSHTM​ 

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