Complex genetic differences in African genomes and health
Official title: Genome-wide characterization of complex variants and their phenotypic effects in African populations
Funded at Covenant University · NIH-11172677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at less-studied types of genetic differences in people of African descent to learn how they may affect health, including outcomes related to HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Covenant University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ota, NIGERIA) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $247,234 |
| NIH project number | 5U01HG013442-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people of African ancestry, including those living with HIV, who can provide a DNA sample or consent to use existing genomic data.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not of African ancestry, those unwilling to share genetic data or samples, or those seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefits from this discovery-focused project.
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers are using new genome data from African populations to find complex variant types like short tandem repeats, variable number tandem repeats, and structural changes. They will compare these variants to health traits, including measures related to HIV, to see which changes are linked to differences in health. The team will use advanced statistical and Bayesian methods to map how these variants affect traits across diverse African groups. The goal is to fill gaps in current genetic databases that mostly represent people of European ancestry so results better reflect African genetic diversity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal population-specific genetic factors that improve risk prediction and guide future diagnostics or treatments for HIV and other conditions in African populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genomics studies have shown clear benefits from including African genomes for variant discovery, but comprehensive work on repeats and other complex variants across African datasets is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Covenant University
Ota, Nigeria Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oyelade, Jelili Olanrewaju — Covenant University
- Study coordinator: Oyelade, Jelili Olanrewaju
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exploring genetic variants and their effects on health in African populations
This study is looking at unique genetic traits found in African populations to see how they might affect health, with the goal of better understanding diseases that are common in Africa and improving ways to predict health risks for people in these communities.
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Investigating how early exposure to aflatoxin B1 affects newborns' health in Nigeria
This study is looking at how a harmful substance called aflatoxin B1, which some pregnant women in Nigeria might be exposed to, could affect their babies' DNA and possibly increase their risk of cancer as they grow up.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.