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AWI-Gen Phase 2: Genomic and environmental risk factors for cardiometabolic disease in Africans

Award Number: U54HG006938
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/15/2012
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2024

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AWI-Gen Phase 2: Genomic and environmental risk factors for cardiometabolic disease in Africans - AWI-Gen Phase 2 - Overall component Abstract AWI-Gen is the Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic Studies, a NIH funded and university supported Collaborative Center of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Consortium. It is a strategic partnership between the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits), and the International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health (INDEPTH). AWI-Gen examines genomic and environmental factors that interact with individual physiology and behaviors to influence body composition, body fat distribution and cardiometabolic disease and risk in African populations, with the aim to provide insights and evidence toward effective prevention, treatment and intervention strategies. Empirical, validated African data to inform modeling, projections and policy remain scant and widening health inequalities are evident within and between countries, despite global improvements in age-standardized mortality and morbidity. AWI-Gen Phase 1 is a population-based cross-sectional study with a research platform of over 12,045 participants 40-60 years from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa that addresses these disparities. Our four-year partnership has successfully generated epi-demographic, environmental, health history, behavioral, anthropometric, physiological and genetic data across a range of rapidly transitioning African settings. The AWI-Gen Collaborative Center provides a unique resource to examine genetic associations and gene- environment interactions that will contribute to Afrocentric risk prediction models and African-appropriate Mendelian Randomization instruments, and exploit their potential to improve personal and population health – while strengthening regional research capacity. Our overall goal is to establish the genomic contribution to cardiometabolic disease and risk at a time when multiple interacting transitions, in the presence of high background HIV or malaria prevalence, are driving a rapid escalation in CMD across the African continent. To deepen our understanding of CMD and risk in African populations, we aim to extend data collection and develop a population-based `super' cohort (from harmonized cohorts across geographic settings) that is well-suited to examining progression among middle-aged and older persons. We have developed four closely linked research projects: (1) Genetic association studies to elucidate functional pathways involved in determining body composition and risk for CMD by detecting pivotal genomic and environmental contributors. (2) Building an analytic resource of bioinformatics analysis tools appropriate for African populations, including genetic risk determination, Mendelian Randomization instruments and gene-environment interaction algorithms. (3) Examining changes over the menopausal transition in body composition and CMD risk factors, and evaluating the resulting risk from physiological, genetic and epigenetic perspectives. (4) Examining the microbiome in older adults and its relationship to obesity, diabetes and glucose tolerance, and CMD risks arising from the menopausal transition. We hypothesize that there are African-specific gene-environment interactions that are key drivers of the health transitions unfolding across the continent, and that environmentally influenced epigenetic and microbiome changes play an important role. HIV and malaria will be considered in our models as they may have critical influences. Our emphasis on women in AWI-Gen Phase 2 is informed by the increasing prevalence of obesity and associated morbidities in women, especially in regions farther along an epidemiological transition path. Genomic research in Africa has the unique potential to harness the lower levels of linkage disequilibrium in African genomes for fine mapping of associated loci to identify causal genes and variants, and guide functional analysis in candidate regions. Our first project provides the foundation for the development of cohorts in west- east-south Africa to examine the distinct and interacting influences of genetic variation, environmental, social and demographic factors, personal behaviors, and proximal risk factors on body composition and susceptibility to CMD. This will be the first multi-ethnic study in sub-Saharan Africa to address a critical shortfall in understanding at a time when the force of transitions is driving the rise in cardiometabolic conditions. We expect findings to be highly relevant in our continental context and to contribute insights far more widely.


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: 2024 ( Subtotal = -$314,111 )
2024	2022	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	10	9/5/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$314,111
														Subtotal = -$314,111

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2022	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	004	10	7/31/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2023	2022	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	002	10	2/22/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2023	2022	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	10	12/21/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2023	2022	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	003	10	7/19/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2023	2020	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	9	12/9/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $1,017,000 )
2022	2022	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	10	7/14/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,017,000
2022	2020	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	9	4/13/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,017,000

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $764,114 )
2021	2021	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	9	9/14/2021	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$764,114
2021	2020	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	002	9	9/22/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2021	2020	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	9	8/20/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $764,114

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $938,911 )
2020	2020	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	9	6/30/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$938,911
2020	2019	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	000	8	1/14/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $938,911

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $999,112 )
2019	2019	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	001	8	6/10/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$999,112
2019	2019	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	002	8	7/11/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2019	2018	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	31 PRINCESS OF WALES TERRACE PARKTOWN	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	000	7	1/25/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $999,112

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $996,178 )
2018	2018	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	008	7	7/16/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2018	2018	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	007	7	7/5/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$996,178
2018	2017	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	002	6	1/31/2018	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,386,586
2018	2016	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	006	5	4/10/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$50,000
2018	2016	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	5	1/31/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$1,000,000
2018	2015	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	4	1/31/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$386,586
2018	2015	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	004	4	4/4/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$50,000
2018	2015	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	005	4	4/10/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$50,000
2018	2014	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	003	3	4/4/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$50,000
														Subtotal = $996,178

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $1,179,963 )
2017	2017	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	002	6	9/15/2017	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$250,000
2017	2017	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Human Genome Research	001	6	9/14/2017	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$929,963
2017	2016	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM (PTY) LTD	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	JOHANNESBURG		2193		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	5	9/13/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,179,963

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $1,000,000 )
2016	2016	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	5	7/28/2016	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,000,000
														Subtotal = $1,000,000

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $1,000,000 )
2015	2015	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	4	7/31/2015	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,000,000
														Subtotal = $1,000,000

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $2,068,144 )
2014	2014	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	002	3	8/29/2014	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,000,000
2014	2014	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	003	3	9/17/2014	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$1,068,144
2014	2013	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	2	12/10/2013	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$970,000
2014	2013	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	2	12/3/2013	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$970,000
														Subtotal = $2,068,144

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $970,000 ) (Continued on the next page)
2013	2013	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	004	2	12/10/2013	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$970,000
2013	2013	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	003	2	12/3/2013	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$970,000
2013	2013	WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM	8 BLACKWOOD AVENUE	PARKTOWN				ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	002	2	9/25/2013	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$970,000
2013	2012	UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND	MILNER PARK	JOHANNESBURG		00000		ZAF	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	1	6/5/2013	NEW	$0
Grand Total All Awards = $11,861,447

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AWI-Gen Phase 2: Genomic and environmental risk factors for cardiometabolic disease in Africans

Award Number: U54HG006938

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/15/2012

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2024

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