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Whole-genome sequencing for an enhanced understanding of genetic variation among South Africans

Updated: Sep 21, 2021

Whole-genome sequencing for an enhanced understanding of genetic variation among South Africans


Authors: Ananyo Choudhury, Michèle Ramsay, Scott Hazelhurst, Shaun Aron, Soraya Bardien, Gerrit Botha, Emile R. Chimusa, Alan Christoffels, Junaid Gamieldien, Mahjoubeh J. Sefid-Dashti, Fourie Joubert, Ayton Meintjes, Nicola Mulder, Raj Ramesar, Jasper Rees, Kathrine Scholtz, Dhriti Sengupta, Himla Soodyall, Philip Venter, Louise Warnich & Michael S. Pepper


Abstract

The Southern African Human Genome Programme is a national initiative that aspires to unlock the unique genetic character of southern African populations for a better understanding of human genetic diversity. In this pilot study the Southern African Human Genome Programme characterizes the genomes of 24 individuals (8 Coloured and 16 black southeastern Bantu-speakers) using deep whole-genome sequencing. A total of ~16 million unique variants are identified. Despite the shallow time depth since divergence between the two main southeastern Bantu-speaking groups (Nguni and Sotho-Tswana), principal component analysis and structure analysis reveal significant (p < 10−6) differentiation, and FST analysis identifies regions with high divergence. The Coloured individuals show evidence of varying proportions of admixture with Khoesan, Bantu-speakers, Europeans, and populations from the Indian sub-continent. Whole-genome sequencing data reveal extensive genomic diversity, increasing our understanding of the complex and region-specific history of African populations and highlighting its potential impact on biomedical research and genetic susceptibility to disease.




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