The H3Africa Genome laboratory at NMIMR provides the genetic infrastructure for this consortium of 15 academic medical centers in Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.  

The H3A-KDRN is currently conducting three studies in Africans that are: investigating the role of variants in the Apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) in chronic kidney disease (CKD).  These APOL1 genes evolved some 10,000 years ago to provide protection against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and are associated with the development of CKD. The genome laboratory has received and processed over 10,000 samples, isolated DNA, carried out quality control and genotyping for APOL1 variants, haemoglobin S and C. Understanding the genetics of kidney disease causation and progression in Africans will help identify effective treatment strategies.