The Genome Diversity in Africa Project (GDAP)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Genome Diversity in Africa Project (GDAP)
IRAS ID
158265
Contact name
Manjinder S Sandhu
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The Genome Diversity in Africa Project (GDAP) is an international collaboration that aims to produce a comprehensive catalogue of human genetic variation in Africa in order to provide a global resource to help design, implement and interpret genomic studies in Africa and studies comprising globally diverse populations.
By using a sequencing-based approach, the GDAP aims to extend our understanding of our human origins, population history, and patterns of genetic diversity within and among populations from Africa.
The GDAP will gather, combine and compare genomic data from several independent studies comprising ethnolinguistic groups across Africa, including population groups from South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Specifically, we aim to sequence up to 2,000 whole genomes across Africa (up to 150 individuals from each ethno-linguistic group), complementing these data with pre-existing 2.5M Illumina array data from distinct regions within Africa. All genomic analyses are funded by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.
This application is specifically seeking approval for the use of data and samples from twelve existing sample collections (listed in APPENDIX 1 and in section A5-2). All samples used in GDAP will be linked anonymised and have appropriate ethical approvals (or equivalent regulatory approvals in instances where a country does not have a research ethics committee) and consent structures to be brought to WTSI for genetic analyses and for sharing of data with other researchers through a managed access system.
DNA extraction from blood or saliva, where necessary, will be carried out at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI) or by a licensed third party, while whole genome sequencing will be carried out at the WTSI, Hinxton, UK. Data will be analysed at the WTSI. Quality control filters will be applied to the data, and linked anonymised data will be stored securely by the WTSI and the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA) at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), Hinxton, UK. All curated linked-anonymised genomic data will also be submitted to an African repository, the data centre of the African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research (APCDR) in Uganda or H3ABioNet. DNA may also be sent to, and stored, other genome centres.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0058
Date of REC Opinion
10 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion