Human Genome Meeting 2025 in Durban, South Africa

PUBGEM-Africa presented at the HUGO 2025 meeting, which was held on March 11th to 14th, with the theme “From Africa to the World: Exploring African diversity through human genomes”. The meeting reflected the focus on genomic diversity within and outside Africa

A first for Africa: Exploring genomics and sickle cell disease therapeutics

PUBGEM-Africa PI, Professor Ambroise Wonkam became the first in Africa to present on “Genomics and Perspectives in Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics.” In his talk, he emphasised that studying African populations offers a powerful opportunity to uncover new genetic insights that could transform treatment for sickle cell disease.

He also highlighted the potential of advanced RNA-based therapies, similar to those used in COVID-19 vaccines, to help the body produce healthier red blood cells. By harnessing the power of genetics and focusing on Africa-specific data, researchers can pave the way for more effective treatments and improve the lives of millions affected by the disease.

Re-examining the Ethics and Law of Data Sovereignty: Population-Specific Reference Genomes and Common Heritage.

PUBGEM-Africa co-PI, Nchangwi Munung facilitated a workshop on “Re-examining the Ethics and Law of Data Sovereignty: Population-Specific Reference Genomes (PSRGs) and Common Heritage”, contributing to the development of a collective statement on data sharing.

The session explored key objectives, including the ethical, legal, and social implications of PSRGs; fostering collaboration to build inclusive governance frameworks; and critically assessing the limitations of proposed governance solutions. Through this engagement, the workshop aimed to strengthen equitable approaches to data governance in genomics.