System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Congress Congress Epublish

PubMed: 38697089 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0808

Application of Genomic Medicine in Africa: 14th Conference of the African Society of Human Genetics and the 2nd International Congress of the Moroccan Society of Genomics and Human Genetics, Rabat, Morocco 2022.

Am J Trop Med Hyg 110(6):1279-1284

Authors: Meryem Fakhkhari, Ikram Salih, Najwa Maazaz, Victoria Nembaware, Nchangwi Syntia Munung, Alice Matimba, Sanaa Chala, Ahmed Belmouden, Karon Chappell, Leon Mutesa, Ghada El-Kamah, Hicham Oumzil, Larbi Baassi, Younes Abbas, Mohamed Zahir Alimohamed, Michele Ramsay, Scott Williams, Karim Benabdellah, Youssef Idaghdour, Ambroise Wonkam, Khalid Sadki

Affiliations

  • Research Laboratory in Oral Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco.
  • Institut of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Morocco.
  • Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxston, United Kingdom.
  • Mohamed V Hospital of Military Instruction, Mohamed V University, Faculty of Dental Medicine of Rabat, Morocco.
  • Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
  • Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Research for Development, Kigali, Rwanda.
  • Center for Human Genetics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
  • Department of Clinical Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Medical Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
  • Office of the Laboratories of the National Institute of Hygiene, Ministry of Health, Rabat, Morocco.
  • Polyvalent Team in R&D, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
  • Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
  • Tanzania Human Genetics Organization, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Center for Genomics and Oncological Research, Parque Tecnólogico de la Salud, Granada, Spain.
  • Program in Biology, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  • McKusick-Nathans Institute and Department of Genetic Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Abstract

The 14th African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) Morocco Meeting and 2nd International Congress of the Moroccan Society of Genomics and Human Genetics (SM2GH), held in Rabat, Morocco, from December 12 through 17, 2022, brought together 298 attendees from 23 countries, organized by the AfSHG in collaboration with the SM2GH. The conference's overarching theme was "Applications of Genomics Medicine in Africa," covering a wide range of topics, including population genetics, genetics of infectious diseases, hereditary disorders, cancer genetics, and translational genetics. The conference aimed to address the lag in the field of genetics in Africa and highlight the potential for genetic research and personalized medicine on the continent. The goal was to improve the health of African populations and global communities while nurturing the careers of young African scientists in the field. Distinguished scientists from around the world shared their recent findings in genetics, immunogenetics, genomics, genome editing, immunotherapy, and ethics genomics. Precongress activities included a 2-day bioinformatics workshop, "NGS Analysis for Monogenic Disease in African Populations," and a Young Investigators Forum, providing opportunities for young African researchers to showcase their work. The vast genetic diversity of the African continent poses a significant challenge in investigating and characterizing public health issues at the genetic and functional levels. Training, research, and the development of expertise in genetics, immunology, genomics, and bioinformatics are vital for addressing these challenges and advancing genetics in Africa. The AfSHG is committed to leading efforts to enhance genetic research, coordinate training, and foster research collaborations on the continent.

MeSH

Genetic Research, Genomics, Genetics, Tropical Medicine, Human Genetics, Work, Research, Genomic Medicine