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Monthly Archives: May 2025

MyAfroDNA > 2025 > May
25
May
Date May 25, 2025
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Revealing Morocco’s Genetic Diversity for Better Healthcare


The Moroccan Genome Project (MGP) sequenced 109 Moroccan genomes, uncovering over 27 million genetic variants, including 1.4 million new ones. This research introduces the Moroccan Major Allele Reference Genome (MMARG), providing a more accurate representation of Moroccan genetic diversity compared to global references.





By identifying unique genetic variants, MGP aims to improve precision medicine, addressing healthcare disparities for Moroccans and North Africans, especially in diseases like kidney disease, heart conditions, and diabetes.





This initiative builds on Morocco's rich genetic history and aims to create a more comprehensive genomic reference for North Africa, paving the way for better healthcare and research in the region.





Learn more here






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19
May
Date May 19, 2025
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New Insights Into Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in African Patients


A groundbreaking study on patients from Angola and Cape Verde has significantly expanded our understanding of TNBC in Sub-Saharan Africa. By sequencing both coding and regulatory regions, researchers found a higher somatic mutation burden compared to other global cohorts, with 86% of variants previously unreported.





Key findings include:





17% of mutations likely have damaging effects at the protein level.





20% overlap with gene regulatory regions.





TP53 remains the top driver gene, but novel candidates like TTN, EACAM7, DEFB132, COPZ2, and GAS1 were also identified.





These discoveries highlight the urgent need for more inclusive cancer genomics research, especially across the highly diverse African continent.





Learn more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-94707-6 


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12
May
Date May 12, 2025
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New Study Sheds Light on Breast Cancer Risk Genes in South African Women


A new landmark genetic study has uncovered important insights into breast cancer risk among South African women. The research, led by a collaborative team of scientists and published in Nature, used genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) to explore genetic variants linked to breast cancer in this historically underrepresented population.





By analyzing over 3,500 participants (including 2,485 breast cancer cases), the study identified two significant risk loci—one between the UNC13C and RAB27A genes on chromosome 15, and another within the USP22 gene on chromosome 17. These findings mark the first time these regions have been linked to breast cancer in African populations.





Interestingly, the study also found that polygenic risk scores (PRS) developed from European ancestry datasets poorly predicted risk in this group—explaining less than 1% of the variance. This underlines a growing call in the genomics community: the need for African-specific data to create more accurate and equitable tools for disease prediction and prevention.





Ultimately, this research reinforces the importance of diversity in genomic studies and highlights how African biobanks and community-centered research can reshape global health outcomes.





Want to dive deeper into this research?
Read the full article here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58789-0






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