Molecular Immunohematology in Ethiopian Sub-populations

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Abstract

The study is a population based analysis of genetic variation of blood group antigens in 3 defined, ancient and still conserved Ethiopian sub-populations. Blood samples have been collected in 3 distinct Ethiopian regions and will be analyzed at DTM/CC/NIH using standard serologic and current red cell genotyping methods. Samples of red blood cells, plasma, DNA and cDNA will also be stored for future additional study, like high throughput next generation sequencing. The study will allow a systematic analysis of the distribution of blood group antigens in Ethiopian sub-populations. The populations are known to differ in malaria and sickle cell disease prevalence and environmental factors like other tropical infectious diseases and oxygen pressure. The ethnic group living in the Ethiopian highland is possibly exposed to low oxygen pressure for the longest period of any human population. We expect to describe differences associated with environmental influences (high altitude, low land tropical, and low land desert). We also expect to detect new alleles that may allow novel insight into the correlation of genotypes and phenotypes.