Neurogenomics: An opportunity to integrate neuroscience, genomics and bioinformatics research in Africa

Abstract

Modern genomic approaches have made enormous contributions to improving our understanding of the function, development and evolution of the nervous system, and the diversity within and between species. However, most of these research advances have been recorded in countries with advanced scientific resources and funding support systems. On the contrary, little is known about, for example, the possible interplay between different genes, non-coding elements and environmental factors in modulating neurological diseases among populations in low-income countries, including many African countries. The unique ancestry of African populations suggests that improved inclusion of these populations in neuroscience-related genomic studies would significantly help to identify novel factors that might shape the future of neuroscience research and neurological healthcare. This perspective is strongly supported by the recent identification that diseased individuals and their kindred from specific sub-Saharan African populations lack common neurological disease-associated genetic mutations. This indicates that there may be population-specific causes of neurological diseases, necessitating further investigations into the contribution of additional, presently-unknown genomic factors. Here, we discuss how the development of neurogenomics research in Africa would help to elucidate disease-related genomic variants, and also provide a good basis to develop more effective therapies. Furthermore, neurogenomics would harness African scientists' expertise in neuroscience, genomics and bioinformatics to extend our understanding of the neural basis of behaviour, development and evolution.

Motor Neuron Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Need for More Population-Based Studies

“…The identification of genetic elements underlying these ethnic-dependent phenotypic variations is a strong suggestion that the mechanisms and propagation of MNDs might be population-specific, meaning that one-size-fits-all drugs and diagnosis platforms would not be effective for all patients. Further neurogenomic and neurogenetic studies might provide significant findings that would help to improve the clinical diagnosis and care of MNDs, as well as accelerate the development of better-targeted therapies [ 41 ].…”

“…Institutions like Adéquation ( http://adequationgermany.embl.de/ ), Seeding Labs ( http://seedinglabs.org ), Korle Bu Neuroscience Foundation ( http://kbnf.org ), and TReND have also contributed immensely by partnering with African universities, companies, and hospitals to provide functional laboratory and medical equipment to support local neuroscience education and research [ 42 , 43 ]. Detailed discussions about these support systems led by nonprofit organisations have been previously provided [ 41 – 43 , 46 ]. To help improve the use of genomics tools and techniques in health-related research in Africa, the H3Africa (Human Heredity and Health in Africa, http://h3africa.org ) initiative is making great strides by supporting African scientists with dedicated research funding, training, and intracontinental collaboration opportunities [ 46 – 48 ].…”

“…To help improve the use of genomics tools and techniques in health-related research in Africa, the H3Africa (Human Heredity and Health in Africa, http://h3africa.org ) initiative is making great strides by supporting African scientists with dedicated research funding, training, and intracontinental collaboration opportunities [ 46 – 48 ]. This provides opportunities for more scientists working in neuroscience-related areas to apply genomics and genetics research to help address research questions [ 41 ]. However, for the long-term sustainability of these initiatives, there is the need for the development of more top notch, interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in neuroscience in African universities.…”

Bioinformatics in Africa: The Rise of Ghana?

“…This lack of expertise may adversely affect the quality of training. Moreover, an important capacity that is lacking in Ghana is the technical skills to analyse so-called “big data.” Expertise in data analysis is required to clean, transform, and model data, in order to make inferences, suggest conclusions, and inform research directions [ 6 , 69 ]. With the anticipated increase in genomic data from African populations, it is critical that attention is paid to world-class training in data analysis [ 13 , 32 , 49 ].…”

Transcriptional and Genomic Targets of Neural Stem Cells for Functional Recovery after Hemorrhagic Stroke

“…By contrast, little is recorded or published about the possible interplay between different genetic factors, epigenetic modulators, noncoding RNAs, and environmental factors in causing or modulating neurological disorders in populations from underdeveloped countries [42]. Both pharmacological intervention and genetic manipulation of epigenetic modulators can trigger profound changes in molecular expression, neuron identity, and complex behavioral and cognitive phenotypes.…”