All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar:

Unlocking African Genomic Diversity for Global Precision Medicine

Professor Segun Fatumo

Queen Mary University, London and the MRC/UVRI Uganda Unit

Register to attend

Please note this is a free online event.

Registration is available via – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K-ONJFOjRBghO_nHHOEDtQ

Abstract

Since the first human genome was sequenced about twenty years ago, advances in genome technologies have resulted in whole-genome sequencing and microarray-based genotyping of millions of human genomes. However, genetic and genomic research is primarily focused on populations of European ancestry. As of June 2021, for example, the vast majority of genomics studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), had been conducted in people of European descent (86.3%), followed by East Asian (5.9%), and African (1.1%) populations. While the proportion of samples from people of European ancestry has increased from 81% in 2016 to 86% in 2021, the proportion of samples from under-represented groups has either remained stagnant or decreased.

As a result, the many under-represented 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. To improve representation of Africans in genomic studies, new genomic initiatives are emerging from indigenous African populations.  In my presentation, I will discuss the importance of genomic diversity and how we 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.

About Professor Segun Fatumo

Professor Segun Fatumo is a genomic epidemiologist whose pioneering work has advanced understanding of non-communicable diseases and championed equitable genomics research globally. He leads major Africa-focused genomic initiatives, including KidneyGenAfrica, the Uganda Genome Resource and the Nigerian 100K Genome Project, while holding key roles at Queen Mary University of London and the MRC/UVRI Uganda Unit. With funding from major international agencies, Professor Fatumo has driven research capacity building across Africa, contributed to global genomics policy, and serves on influential advisory boards. He is widely recognised in international media (BBC, The Telegraph, WIRED, Science Magazine, Forbes and others) and has been honoured with multiple awards, he remains a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion in genomic research.

The Bradford Hill seminar series is the principal series of The Cambridge Population Health Sciences Partnership, in collaboration with the PHG Foundation. This comprises the Departments of Public Health & Primary Care, MRC Biostatistics Unit and IMS Epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, bringing together a multi-disciplinary partnership of academics and public health professionals. The Bradford Hill seminar programme of internationally recognised speakers covers topics of broad interest to our public health research community. It aims to transcend as well as connect the activities of our individual partners.

All are welcome at our Bradford Hill seminars.