K43TW012577
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
A comprehensive whole genome sequence scan for positive selection in Southern Africa - project summary.
An African origin for modern humans and the vast genetic diversity in the region is irrefutable. Within Africa, Southern Africa is home to some of the oldest and most diverse extant human populations worldwide.
These populations, the Khoesan, reside predominantly in the north-western parts of South Africa and throughout Namibia and Botswana. In previous work (PMID 27474727), I and two of my mentors showed that fine-scale genetic population structure between these Khoesan populations reflects ecogeographical boundaries.
In addition to this unique Khoesan ancestry, populations in Southern Africa have been shaped by numerous migrations from within Africa (e.g. Bantu-speaking peoples) and outside Africa (notably European and Asian populations). Thus, the patterns of diversity observed in this area are unique with no comparable regions elsewhere in the world.
These Southern African populations went on to further adapt to their new environment, which was plagued by disease, resource limitations, and harsh climates. The role of positive selection in this adaptation remains unknown.
Using one of the largest whole genome sequencing dataset collections encompassing numerous Southern African populations, we aim to: 1) scan these datasets for signals of positive selection and 2) evaluate the functional, biological, and potentially translational implications of these signals.
This project will be the largest and most comprehensive single study of natural selection on the African continent. The methods developed in this study will inform future scans for natural selection in heterogeneous, admixed African populations.
Furthermore, the findings will provide insights into how adaptation to the environment has shaped human genomes and, in turn, various phenotypes in this unique part of Africa. These results could be informative to all populations with African ancestry.
An African origin for modern humans and the vast genetic diversity in the region is irrefutable. Within Africa, Southern Africa is home to some of the oldest and most diverse extant human populations worldwide.
These populations, the Khoesan, reside predominantly in the north-western parts of South Africa and throughout Namibia and Botswana. In previous work (PMID 27474727), I and two of my mentors showed that fine-scale genetic population structure between these Khoesan populations reflects ecogeographical boundaries.
In addition to this unique Khoesan ancestry, populations in Southern Africa have been shaped by numerous migrations from within Africa (e.g. Bantu-speaking peoples) and outside Africa (notably European and Asian populations). Thus, the patterns of diversity observed in this area are unique with no comparable regions elsewhere in the world.
These Southern African populations went on to further adapt to their new environment, which was plagued by disease, resource limitations, and harsh climates. The role of positive selection in this adaptation remains unknown.
Using one of the largest whole genome sequencing dataset collections encompassing numerous Southern African populations, we aim to: 1) scan these datasets for signals of positive selection and 2) evaluate the functional, biological, and potentially translational implications of these signals.
This project will be the largest and most comprehensive single study of natural selection on the African continent. The methods developed in this study will inform future scans for natural selection in heterogeneous, admixed African populations.
Furthermore, the findings will provide insights into how adaptation to the environment has shaped human genomes and, in turn, various phenotypes in this unique part of Africa. These results could be informative to all populations with African ancestry.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER (FIC) SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING TO REDUCE DISPARITIES IN GLOBAL HEALTH AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN U.S. SCIENTISTS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS ABROAD. FIC SUPPORTS BASIC BIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, AS WELL AS RELATED RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO IS DIVIDED INTO SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT A WIDE VARIETY OF FUNDING MECHANISMS TO MEET PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
South Africa
Geographic Scope
Foreign
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 233% from $90,196 to $300,491.
Stellenbosch University was awarded
Genome Scan for Positive Selection in Southern Africa
Project Grant K43TW012577
worth $300,491
from Fogarty International Center in July 2023 with work to be completed primarily in South Africa.
The grant
has a duration of 2 years 9 months and
was awarded through assistance program 93.989 International Research and Research Training.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/21/25
Period of Performance
7/21/23
Start Date
4/30/26
End Date
Funding Split
$300.5K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$300.5K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to K43TW012577
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
K43TW012577
SAI Number
K43TW012577-790556442
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Non-Domestic (Non-U.S.) Entity
Awarding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Funding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Awardee UEI
C6CHDMTANVS3
Awardee CAGE
SZ208
Performance District
Not Applicable
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0891) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $97,403 | 100% |
Modified: 7/21/25