Human Genomic Diversity and Disease Research Unit
Director: Prof
Himla Soodyall
E-mail: hxsood@global.co.za
The Human Genomic Diversity
and Disease Research Unit was established in January 2001.
Research in the Unit focuses
on the value of incorporating population history when mapping and modeling
human genetic variation in health and disease. More specifically, we are interested
in explaining the demographic and evolutionary processes responsible for producing
the complex patterns of variation in sub-Saharan African and Malagasy populations.
Dr
Himla Soodyall heads up this unit.
Several factors contribute
to producing changes or mutations in the genome - the blueprints/biochemical
instructions that determine inherited traits. These changes leave imprints,
in the form of altered gene frequencies, on the human genome.
Because these imprints
are transmitted to succeeding generations, the genome of our species, Homo
sapiens, contains an indelible record of our evolutionary past. Thus,
by examining the DNA in living individuals, it is possible to reconstruct
the evolution of genes and to learn more about the processes that have produced
variations in all humans. |
