Experts Discuss the Importance of Genomic Sequencing in the Battle Against HIV in South Africa

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Genomic technology is being used in South Africa to research and identify natural controls for HIV infections. MGI Tech Co., announced its sequencing tools are being utilized at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. HIV continues to be a significant problem in the region, which has the largest number of people living with HIV.

However, MGI states that the African human genome is the least sequenced among human genomes. This presents a significant problem, as proper genetic sequencing allows experts to create more targeted treatment programs and create more effective treatments for HIV.

Rizwana Mia is the co-founder of the SAMRC Genomics Center and the senior program manager of precision medicine at the SAMRC. In a press release, Mia said, “The HIV Host Genome project was started at the same time as we launched SAMRC's African Genomics Centre in Cape Town with the support from MGI. The partnership saw MGI putting down a high-throughput sequencing workflow, and assisted us with the specialized scaled infrastructure design in our lab. This was at a time when there was no real infrastructure for large-scale next generation sequencing in Africa."

Mia continued, “More importantly, by moving our laboratory workflow to scale, we are hoping to develop genomic research to address this quadruple burden of disease that South Africa faces. Our project looks at a unique cohort of patients that have the ability to control the HIV virus to ascertain how disease progresses and the host-directed mechanisms for innate immune control. In addition, we included family sets to help us better understand the relationship between pediatric non-progressors and their parents who are also HIV positive, to uncover and genetic differences that may contribute to host immune control of HIV."

Dr. Veron Ramsuran, principal investigator of the HIV Host Genome project also discussed the importance of genomic sequencing in the region, saying, “We've identified new genes and polymorphism that are playing a role with HIV disease through new data generated from Whole Genome Sequencing. Traditionally, there is a list of mutations or genes that are known to associate with HIV, yet they are largely based on studies on Caucasian populations. Our HIV research is adding to the general pool of knowledge pertaining to individuals of African descent, which will thereby inform new treatment and new vaccine opportunities."

Ramsuran continued, “What's important is also understanding how drugs interact with the individual. We've found in the past that certain polymorphism is associated with drug metabolism in genes. Building on this understanding of drugs in combination with the genetics of the individual, we can develop prediction tools to inform clinicians on drug type or dosage depending on the presence of the polymorphism to facilitate a more rapid metabolism of the drug."

Source

1. How MGI Helps Uncover the Mystery of HIV Elite Controllers with Genomics Technology: A South African Case Study. MGI Tech Co., Ltd. July 17, 2024. Accessed July 26, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-mgi-helps-uncover-the-mystery-of-hiv-elite-controllers-with-genomics-technology-a-south-african-case-study-302199413.html