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27
Apr
Date April 27, 2026
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Vitamin B7 and Cancer Metabolism: A New Clue in Tumor Survival


A new study from the University of Lausanne by is shedding light on how cancer cells adapt and survive, even under treatment pressure. The research uncovers a surprising role for vitamin B7 (biotin) in enabling cancer cells to switch metabolic pathways, a flexibility that may contribute to treatment resistance.





Cancer cells are known for their rapid growth, and to sustain this, many rely heavily on a nutrient called glutamine. This phenomenon, often described as “glutamine addiction” has made glutamine metabolism a key target in cancer therapy. However, treatments that block glutamine pathways don’t always work as expected. Tumors often find alternative ways to survive.





Researchers discovered that vitamin B7 acts as a critical cofactor for an enzyme called pyruvate carboxylase, which allows cancer cells to switch from glutamine dependency to another metabolic route. In simple terms, biotin enables cancer cells to “change fuel sources” when their primary supply is cut off.





When vitamin B7 was limited in controlled experimental conditions, this metabolic flexibility was disrupted. As a result, cancer cells were less able to adapt, and their growth was significantly reduced.





This finding points to a potential strategy in cancer treatment: instead of targeting a single metabolic pathway, therapies could be designed to block multiple survival routes simultaneously. By combining glutamine inhibition with disruption of biotin-dependent processes, researchers may be able to expose a key vulnerability in tumor cells.





The study also highlights the role of the FBXW7 gene, a known tumor suppressor. Mutations in this gene commonly observed in several cancer types appear to make cancer cells even more reliant on glutamine metabolism. This suggests that patients with such mutations could respond differently to therapies targeting metabolic pathways, reinforcing the importance of personalized medicine.





For African genomics and health research, these findings are particularly relevant. Understanding how genetic variations influence cancer metabolism is essential for developing treatments that are effective across diverse populations. It also underscores the need for more inclusive datasets in biomedical research.





While the study focuses on vitamin B7, it does not suggest that people should reduce their intake of biotin. This vitamin is essential for normal bodily functions, including energy metabolism and skin health. The findings are specific to controlled laboratory settings and targeted therapeutic strategies, not dietary recommendations.





Cancer’s strength lies in its ability to adapt. This research shows that vitamin-dependent metabolic pathways may be one of the mechanisms behind that adaptability, and a promising target for future treatments.





🔗 Read the full article:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260420014744.htm





Source: ScienceDaily (University of Lausanne)


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11
Jan
Date January 11, 2026
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Beyond Clinics: How Wastewater Surveillance Is Transforming Disease Detection in Africa


Public health surveillance has traditionally relied on clinics, hospitals, and laboratories to report cases of disease. But across much of Africa, this system captures only part of the picture. Many people do not seek care, cannot access testing, or are excluded from formal health systems altogether. As a result, outbreaks are often detected late, under-reported, or missed entirely.





A recent report in Nature highlights how wastewater surveillance is changing this reality, using sewage to track disease trends at the community level, even when clinical data is limited.





What is wastewater surveillance?





Wastewater surveillance involves testing sewage for genetic material from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. When people are infected, traces of these pathogens are shed through bodily waste and end up in wastewater systems. By analysing these samples, scientists can estimate disease circulation across entire communities, without relying on individual testing or hospital visits.





In practical terms, one wastewater sample can represent thousands or even millions of people.





Lessons from South Africa





Researchers in South Africa demonstrated how wastewater monitoring can reveal disease trends that conventional surveillance fails to capture. By comparing viral signals in sewage with reported clinical cases, they found a significant gap between actual infections and officially recorded data.





In several instances, wastewater data showed rising infection levels weeks before clinics recorded an increase in cases. This early signal is especially important in lower-income or underserved areas, where testing rates tend to be lower, and outbreaks are more likely to go unnoticed.





The findings underscore a critical reality: absence of data does not mean absence of disease.





Beyond COVID-19





While wastewater surveillance gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, its applications extend far beyond one virus. Researchers are now detecting genetic material linked to:






  • Measles




  • Mpox




  • Influenza




  • Hepatitis A and E





In some cases, these pathogens were identified in wastewater even when no clinical cases had been officially reported in the area. This positions wastewater surveillance as a powerful early-warning system for emerging and re-emerging diseases.





Why this matters for Africa





Wastewater surveillance offers several advantages that are particularly relevant in African contexts:






  • Equity: It captures health data from entire communities, including people who are not represented in clinical systems.




  • Cost-effectiveness: Monitoring a few sites can be more affordable than mass individual testing.




  • Early detection: Public health authorities can respond sooner, potentially preventing wider outbreaks.




  • Genomic insight: Sequencing wastewater samples allows scientists to track variants and pathogen evolution over time.





For regions facing resource constraints, these benefits can strengthen public health decision-making without placing additional burdens on individuals.





The challenges ahead





Despite its promise, wastewater surveillance is not without limitations. It requires:






  • Laboratory infrastructure and sequencing capacity




  • Skilled personnel for data analysis




  • Sustainable funding and policy support





Encouragingly, continental initiatives, including efforts led by Africa CDC, are working toward integrating wastewater and environmental surveillance into broader disease monitoring systems.





Where MyAfroDNA fits in





At MyAfroDNA, we believe that genomic tools should serve real-world public health needs, especially in underrepresented regions. Wastewater surveillance demonstrates how genomics can move beyond laboratories and clinics to inform population-level health decisions.





As Africa continues to invest in biospecimen science, molecular testing, and genomic research, approaches like wastewater surveillance will be essential for building resilient, inclusive health systems.





Better data leads to better decisions and better outcomes for communities.






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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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14
Apr
Date April 14, 2025
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The Fulani People: Genetic History of Africa’s Largest Pastoralist Community


A new study led by researchers at Uppsala University has shed light on the deep genetic history of the Fulani people, one of Africa’s largest nomadic pastoralist populations. With over 40 million individuals spread across the Sahel and West Africa, the Fulani have long fascinated historians, linguists, and geneticists. Yet, their ancestry remained largely underrepresented in genomic research until now.





Drawing on data from more than 460 participants across seven African countries, the study reveals that the Fulani's genetic profile is a unique mosaic shaped by ancient migrations and centuries of intermingling with neighboring populations. All Fulani groups studied share a common ancestry linked to the Green Sahara period (12,000–5,000 years ago), a time when now-arid regions of Africa were lush and fertile, supporting early human settlement and pastoralism.





What’s particularly compelling is how the Fulani have preserved a shared genetic signature across vast distances, despite cultural and geographic differences. These findings don’t just contribute to our understanding of African history, they also underscore the importance of including more African populations in genomic research, which has implications for medical science, anthropology, and the global understanding of human diversity.





You can read the full article on Science Daily here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250211134303.htm






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