Why does this study matter?

Human response to disease

More than three million new genetic variants were uncovered in one of the most extensive studies of high-depthsequenced African genomes reported to date. Genetic variation in African populations tells us a lot about how we humans adapted to our environment. People who are carriers of sickle-cell anaemia are more likely to be found in areas where malaria is hyperendemic, because this variant protects them against severe malaria. Other viral infections could have also helped to shape genomic differences between people and groups by altering the frequency of genes that affect individuals’ disease susceptibility.

More people can benefit from precision medicine

Adding genomic data from all global populations – including Africa – is essential to ensure that everyone can benefit from the advances in health offered by precision medicine or “personalised” medicine – disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment and lifestyle for each person.

Our deep ancestral ties to one another

Deep ancestral relations between populations are observed that were never before known. The study provides insights into ancient migrations along the routes of populations who speak Bantu languages, across the African continent. Zambia was found to be an intermediate site in the Bantu migration route to the south and east of the continent. There was also evidence supporting movement from East Africa to central Nigeria between 1,500 and 2,000 years ago.