RSSAf hybrid seminar co-hosted by ASSAf

Professor Michèle Ramsay

Director of the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Professor in Human Genetics and SA Research Chair in Genomics and Bioinformatics at the University of the Witwatersrand

Harnessing the power of Genetic Diversity in African populations

Abstract: The pace of progress in African human population genomics is slow despite opportunities for unprecedented discovery. We need databases centred on continental data for scientists working with African populations to examine the potential biological impact of genetic variation on health and disease. Every new project in Africa yields unprecedented novel insights and unrecognised variation. This extends from human genome diversity, to the identification of regulatory variants and to the characterisation of new bacteria and viruses in the human gut microbiome. The World Health Organisation calls for “Accelerating access to human genomics for public health”. How can Africa and South Africa respond to promote a sustainable agenda for accessible and affordable precision health?