African Biogenome Project: Realistic or Farfetched?

Did You Know?

• The most genetically diverse continent in the world is Africa.

• Africa has over 3,000 distinct ethnic groups.

• Less than 2% of the world’s genomic data comes from African populations despite Africa’s vast diversity.

• Up to 95% of Africa’s known endangered species are currently unsequenced.

If Africa is so rich in genomic data, then where is all of it?

Africa is indeed rich in genomic data owing to its diverse and ancient populations. However, this data is not always accessible and/or available. Several factors contribute to the challenge of accessing African genomic data. Prevalent among these factors is a lack of funding and infrastructure to support large-scale genomic research in many African countries.

In addition, cultural and ethical concerns around genetic research have also played a role in limiting the availability of genomic data from African populations.

Why is African genomic data important anyway?

African genomic data is critical for studying and understanding human genetic variation and diseases. This data is helpful in precision medicine, understanding and addressing health disparities, and informing our knowledge of human evolution.

The lack of African genomic data has led to critical gaps in our understanding of genetic diseases and drug response in African populations.

The underrepresentation of Africa’s rich and diverse genome in reference and in disease-associated databases increases difficulty in interpreting Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data in Africa and African diaspora.

The African Biogenome Project

The African Biogenome Project (ABP) is a relatively new and ambitious initiative which aims to create a comprehensive map of the genetic diversity of African populations. This groundbreaking project is set to provide valuable insights into the genetic diversity of Africa, and could potentially lead to new discoveries in areas such as medicine, agriculture, and conservation. In this article, we explore the goals, collaborators, potential implications, and achievements of this fascinating project so far.

Brief History of the African Biogenome Project

The ABP was officially launched in August 2019 at the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. While the African Biogenome Project is set to revolutionize professional practice in targeted spheres in the continent, one of the most inspiring aspects of the project is its inclusive and collaborative approach. The project brings together researchers, scientists, institutions, and organizations from across Africa and around the world with a unified goal to address the historical underrepresentation of African populations in genetic research.

Collaborators in the African Biogenome Project

Key collaborators in the project are organized in three categories consisting of institutional partners, corporate partners, and associate project partners.

1. Institutional Partners: As the name implies, this category of partners include academic institutions and research institutes within Africa and across the world. These include H3ABioNet, Mount Kenya University (MKU) Kenya, Beijing Genomics Institute Group Research (BGI-Research) China, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) South Africa, University of California Davis, The Biotech Institute Zimbabwe, Claretian University of Nigeria, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), University of South Africa Addis Ababa University, and Wellcome Sanger Institute among several other institutions.

2. Corporate Partners: Corporate partners in the ABP include MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI) China, Inqaba Biotec, and Dovetail Genomics LLC among others.

3. Associate Project Partners: 10,000 Plants Genomes Project, Jim Leebens-Mack  Laboratory, Sanger Tree of Life Programme, Vertebrates Genomes Project (VGP), African Glacier Invertebrates (Glacier and Polar Life), The Epizoic Diatom Genome Project, and Global Genome Initiative for Gardens (GGI-Gardens) among others.

The project’s collaborative and inclusive approach is one of its key strengths, and reflects the global effort to promote scientific research and innovation in Africa.

Achievements of the African Biogenome Project so far…

Though the African Biogenome Project is still in its early stages it has already made significant progress. In 2020, the project published its first major findings, which revealed previously unknown genetic variations in African populations. This was a significant step towards achieving the project’s ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive map of the genetic makeup of African populations.

The project’s effort is aimed at sequencing the genomes of at least 1000 people from Africa, representing the continent’s genetic diversity. Some of the advances already made by the project include:

1. Improved understanding of genetic diversity in Africa: The project has revealed the extent of genetic diversity in Africa, which is greater than that found in any other continent. This diversity is critical for understanding the genetic basis of various diseases and developing personalized medicine.

2. Identification of novel genetic variants: The project has already identified numerous novel genetic variants that are unique to African populations. These variants can help researchers understand the genetic basis of diseases and develop targeted therapies.

3. Identification of disease risk factors: The project has identified genetic risk factors for a range of diseases that are prevalent in Africa, including sickle cell disease, which is caused by a genetic mutation that affects hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells.

4. Improved accuracy of genetic testing: The project has helped improve the accuracy of genetic testing for people of African descent. This is important because many genetic tests are based on data from populations of European descent and may not be as accurate for people of African descent.

Overall, the African Biogenome Project has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the genetics of disease and improve healthcare for people of African descent.

As the project continues to make progress, we can expect to learn more about the genetic diversity of Africa and its implications for our understanding of human evolution, health, and disease. The African Biogenome Project represents a truly groundbreaking effort, and it is an exciting time to be part of this rapidly evolving field of research.

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