Pharmacogenomics
Our research is critically focused on investigating how genetic variations in African populations affect drug metabolism, efficacy, and safety. This field, known as pharmacogenomics, is essential for revolutionizing healthcare across Africa. The continent's unparalleled genetic diversity means that responses to commonly prescribed medications can vary significantly among individuals of African descent compared to other global populations. A "one-size-fits-all" approach to medicine, largely based on genomic data from non-African populations, can lead to suboptimal drug dosing, treatment failures, or even severe adverse drug reactions.
Tailoring Medicines: Pharmacogenomics for African Populations
Our research is critically focused on investigating how genetic variations in African populations affect drug metabolism, efficacy, and safety. This field, known as pharmacogenomics, is essential for revolutionizing healthcare across Africa. The continent's unparalleled genetic diversity means that responses to commonly prescribed medications can vary significantly among individuals of African descent compared to other global populations. A "one-size-fits-all" approach to medicine, largely based on genomic data from non-African populations, can lead to suboptimal drug dosing, treatment failures, or even severe adverse drug reactions.
We aim to identify specific genetic variants that influence how individuals metabolize drugs, how effectively a drug works, and what side effects might occur. For example, variations in genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes (like Cytochrome P450 enzymes) can determine if a drug is broken down too quickly (leading to reduced efficacy) or too slowly (leading to toxicity). Understanding these variations for prevalent diseases in Nairobi and across Africa, such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and rapidly increasing non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes, is crucial for optimizing patient care.
A key output of this investigation is to develop guidelines for the implementation of pharmacogenomics in clinical practice across Africa. This involves translating complex genetic findings into practical, actionable recommendations for healthcare providers. These guidelines will help clinicians make informed decisions about drug selection and dosing, ensuring that patients receive the most effective and safest treatments tailored to their unique genetic makeup. This will empower healthcare systems to move towards precision medicine, ultimately improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs associated with ineffective treatments or adverse reactions, and building a more equitable and effective healthcare landscape throughout the continent.