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A comprehensive whole genome sequence scan for positive selection in southern Africa

Award Number: K43TW012577
ORGANIZATION: FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/21/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2026

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A comprehensive whole genome sequence scan for positive selection in southern Africa - PROJECT SUMMARY An African origin for modern humans and the vast genetic diversity in the region is irrefutable. Within Africa, southern Africa is home to the some of the oldest and most diverse extant human populations world-wide. These populations, the KhoeSan, reside predominantly in the north-western parts of South Africa and throughout Namibia and Botswana. In previous work (PMID 27474727), I and two of my mentors showed that fine-scale genetic population structure between these KhoeSan populations reflects ecogeographical boundaries. In addition to this unique KhoeSan ancestry, populations in southern Africa have been shaped by numerous migrations from within Africa (e.g. Bantu-speaking peoples) and outside Africa (notably European and Asian populations). Thus, the patterns of diversity observed in this area is unique with no comparable regions elsewhere in the world. These southern African populations went on to further adapt to their new environment which was plagued by disease, resource limitations and harsh climates. The role of positive selection in this adaption, remains unknown. Using one of the largest whole genome sequencing dataset collections encompassing numerous southern African populations, we aim to: 1) scan these datasets for signals of positive selection and 2) evaluate the functional, biological and potentially translational implications of these signals. This project will be the largest and most comprehensive single study of natural selection on the African continent. The methods developed in this study will inform future scans for natural selection in heterogenous, admixed African populations. Furthermore, the findings will provide insights into how adaptation to the environment has shaped human genomes and in turn, various phenotypes in this unique part of Africa - these results could be informative to all populations with African ancestry.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $101,134 )
2025	2025	STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY	ADMINISTRATION BUILDING B, VICTORIA ST	STELLENBOSCH				ZAF	International Research and Research Training	000	3	7/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$101,134
														Subtotal = $101,134

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $101,953 )
2024	2024	STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY	ADMINISTRATION BUILDING B, VICTORIA ST	STELLENBOSCH				ZAF	International Research and Research Training	001	2	4/24/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$101,953
2024	2023	STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY	ADMINISTRATION BUILDING B, VICTORIA ST	STELLENBOSCH				ZAF	International Research and Research Training	000	1	4/18/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $101,953

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $97,404 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITEIT STELLENBOSCH	ADMINISTRATION BUILDING B, VICTORIA STREET	STELLENBOSCH				ZAF	International Research and Research Training	002	1	8/10/2023	NEW	$1
2023	2023	UNIVERSITEIT STELLENBOSCH	ADMINISTRATION BUILDING B, VICTORIA STREET	STELLENBOSCH				ZAF	International Research and Research Training	001	1	8/4/2023	NEW	$7,207
2023	2023	UNIVERSITEIT STELLENBOSCH	ADMINISTRATION BUILDING B, VICTORIA STREET	STELLENBOSCH				ZAF	International Research and Research Training	000	1	7/21/2023	NEW	$90,196
														Subtotal = $97,404

Grand Total All Awards = $300,491

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A comprehensive whole genome sequence scan for positive selection in southern Africa

Award Number: K43TW012577

ORGANIZATION: FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/21/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2026

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