Genome Assembly for an Endangered Lemur Using Portable Nanopore Sequencing in Rural Madagascar.

As one of the most threatened mammalian taxa, lemurs of Madagascar are facing unprecedented anthropogenic pressures. To address conservation imperatives such as this, researchers have increasingly relied on conservation genomics to identify populations of particular concern. However, many of these genomic approaches necessitate high-quality genomes.

Nothing about us without us: Sharing results with communities that provide genomic data.

Sharing genetic and other study results with the communities who participate in research falls under benefit-sharing and capacity-building initiatives that underpin a more equitable biomedical research relationship. Yet, which results to return and how remain fundamental challenges that persist in the absence of practical guidance and institutional policies. Here, we discuss how the return of results can be implemented across different geographies, study designs, and project budgets.

Mid-pass whole-genome sequencing in a Malagasy cohort uncovers body composition associations.

The majority of human genomic research studies have been conducted in European-ancestry cohorts, reducing the likelihood of detecting potentially novel and globally impactful findings. Here, we present mid-pass whole-genome sequencing data and a genome-wide association study in a cohort of 264 self-reported Malagasy individuals from three locations on the island of Madagascar. We describe genetic variation in this Malagasy cohort, providing insight into the shared and unique patterns of genetic variation across the island.

Population Structure of the South West Indian Ocean Islands: Implications for Precision Medicine.

Precision medicine has brought new hopes for patients around the world with the applications of novel technologies for understanding genetics of complex diseases and their translation into clinical services. Such applications however require a foundation of skills, knowledge and infrastructure to translate genetics for health care. The crucial element is no doubt the availability of genomics data for the target populations, which is seriously lacking for most parts of Africa.