Researchers have conducted the most comprehensive analysis to date linking genetic variations and plasma proteins in people with type 2 diabetes on the African continent, which is largely underrepresented in medical research. This discovery could pave the way for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatments tailored to African populations.

Closing the equity gap in global health

People of African ancestry are largely underrepresented in medical research. This study natural geneticsis committed to the need to include people of African descent in medical research to more effectively diagnose, manage and treat conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health concern in sub-Saharan Africa but is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This is partly because existing diagnostic markers, such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were mostly developed in European populations and may be less accurate in African populations due to genetic and biological differences. Until now, there has been a critical lack of large-scale genetic and proteomic studies on the African continent, leaving a major blind spot in the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in these communities.

The research was led by Helmholtz München in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London, Technical University of Munich, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and the Uganda Research Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“By focusing on African populations, we are revealing biological insights that have been missing in global diabetes research,” says Opeyemi Solemekun, Ph.D., lead author of the study and postdoctoral fellow at Helmholtz Munich. “This study shows that a one-size-fits-all approach to diagnosis and treatment is not enough. We need solutions that reflect the diversity of human biology.”

Unique protein patterns provide new insights into disease biology

By combining genomic and plasma proteomic data from a Ugandan cohort, researchers mapped approximately 400 genetic regions that regulate circulating protein levels. Of these, 58 regions were previously unknown in individuals of African descent. They identified 18 proteins with possible causal links to T2D, including proteins that could be targets for existing drugs. Of note, several proteins (such as apolipoprotein F and lipoprotein lipase) showed unique patterns in Ugandan participants but not in Europeans, highlighting the importance of population-specific insights. These results not only advance the scientific understanding of T2D biology, but also provide a publicly available dataset to researchers around the world.

“Our analysis identifies protein changes and genetic signals that are unique to African populations,” said Professor Segun Fatumoh, director of the University Institute for Precision Healthcare at Queen Mary University of London. “These findings highlight potential new biomarkers for type 2 diabetes and open the door to treatments tailored to the biological profile of these communities.”

Expanding research that reflects Africa’s diversity

The research team plans to expand this study further into African populations, recognizing that the continent’s genetic, cultural, dietary and environmental diversity means that type 2 diabetes does not follow a single biological pattern. By mapping these differences in detail, this study could help develop representative biomarkers and treatment strategies, ultimately providing more accurate and effective healthcare to millions of people.

“Our findings have laid the foundation for future clinical applications, ranging from improved diagnostic markers to potential therapeutic targets,” said Professor Elefteria Zezzini, Director of the Institute for Translational Genomics at Helmholtz München and Professor at the Technical University of Munich. “By embracing genetic diversity in research, we move closer to precision medicine that works for everyone.”