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SickleGenAfrica:Sickle Cell Disease Genomics Network of Africa

Award Number: U54HL141011
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2017
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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SickleGenAfrica:Sickle Cell Disease Genomics Network of Africa - Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the commonest genetic disorder in the World. It is most prevalent in Africa. We have established SickleGenAfrica:Sickle Cell Disease Genomics Network of Africa to build capacity locally to enable African scientists study genomics of SCD on the continent. The network consists of a core of investigators in nine institutions in four sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries (Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania). Our prior studies showed that 1.8% of births in Ghana are affected by SCD. Penicillin prophylaxis in neonates has reduced mortality in SCD, however, this progress has not been matched by advancements in reducing deaths due to other causes. End-stage organ damage is now the leading cause of death among SCD patients in the West and it is poised to become the major cause of death in Africa once prevention and prompt management of infections becomes widely implemented on the continent. Inflammatory molecules such as free heme released from hemolysis cause severe tissue injury that ultimately causes organ damage in SCD. Malaria causes severe intravascular hemolysis and potentially exacerbates hemolysis-related tissue damage in SCD uniquely in Africa. There is a hierarchy of cytoprotective proteins that neutralize the inflammatory molecules released by hemolysis. Studies in transgenic SCD mice indicate some of these cytoprotective proteins such as hemopexin and heme oxygenase-1, influence cardiopulmonary and vascular dysfunctions in SCD. Although these findings have not been validated in patients, we have discovered wide variations in the level of several key hemolysis cytoprotective proteins among patients, suggesting that these proteins modify the clinical phenotype of SCD perhaps most strongly in Africa. Hitherto, the genetics of this variation has not been defined. In addition, the functional murine studies are limited to a few organ systems, and to scientists in the West, since transgenic sickle mice colonies are not available in institutions in Africa. We seek to address these gaps by accomplishing seven objectives: (1) Phenotype 7, 000 SCD patients and controls in four SSA countries; (2) perform three collaborative genetic research project each with a functional validation study in transgenic sickle mice; (3) Establish a molecular hematology and sickle cell mouse core in Ghana; (4) Leverage an existing H3Africa biorepository to establish a SCD biorepository core in Nigeria; (5) Establish a bioinformatics core at the University of Pittsburgh to analyze the genomics data obtained by the H3Africa Center and to provide expertise to upgrade bioinformatics nodes in Ghana in partnership with H3ABionet; (6) Implement a career pipeline model to train future science leaders in Africa in blood disorders research; (7) establish a cross cutting Administrative core enabling synergy and coordination of network activities with a robust sustainability plan for the H3Africa Center. The University of Ghana is submitting this application with strong institutional support from the University of Pittsburgh.


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 = -$215 )
2025	2021	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON BOUNDARY	ACCRA				GHA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	5	11/25/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$215
														Subtotal = -$215

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2021	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON				GHA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	5	7/17/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $1,088,120 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON				GHA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	5	9/10/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,088,120
														Subtotal = $1,088,120

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $1,094,400 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON		LG571		GHA	Trans-NIH Research Support	003	4	8/17/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,094,400
2020	2019	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON		LG571		GHA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	3	4/14/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2020	2018	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON		LG571		GHA	Trans-NIH Research Support	002	2	4/15/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2020	2017	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON		LG571		GHA	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	1	4/15/2020	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $1,094,400

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $1,103,323 )
2019	2019	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON		LG571		GHA	Blood Diseases and Resources Research	000	3	8/22/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,103,323
														Subtotal = $1,103,323

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $1,081,887 )
2018	2018	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON		LG571		GHA	Blood Diseases and Resources Research	000	2	6/30/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,081,887
														Subtotal = $1,081,887

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $1,180,073 )
2017	2017	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	UNIVERSITY OF GHANA	LEGON		LG571		GHA	Blood Diseases and Resources Research	000	1	9/18/2017	NEW	$1,180,073
														Subtotal = $1,180,073

Grand Total All Awards = $5,547,588

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SickleGenAfrica:Sickle Cell Disease Genomics Network of Africa

Award Number: U54HL141011

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2017

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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