HUMAN GENETICS IN DR CONGO: A RAPIDLY EVOLVING STORY

Prof LUKUSA TSHILOBO Prosper, MD, PhDPresident of the Congolese Society for Human Genetics (CoSHG)

Prof LUMAKA ZOLA Aimé, MD, PhDCentre for Human Genetics, UNIKIN

DR Congo

• Second biggest African country: 2.345.409 km2

• The most populated French speaking country:

– ± 80.000.000 inhabitants

• Kinshasa: ± 10 millions inhabitants

• 3 main Universities and 1 Biomedical research

center

Enormous needs for genetic services

• High prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD):

– 25-34% AS

– 2% SS new-borns

– 80% death < 5 years

• Albinism: cutaneous carcinoma in 33%

• Intellectual disability: 27 % with genetic defects

History of genetics in DR Congo

1966

Today

History of genetics in DR Congo

Prof. H Van den Bergh et al. from KUL, laboratory

and research activities (Down Syndrome)

1966

Today

1978

2007

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2008

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2010

No genetic service

1966

Today

1978

2007

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2008

2009

2010

Prosper Lukusa, from KU Leuven:

• Genetics back to UNIKIN

• Conferences for practitioners

1966

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1978

2007

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• Undergraduate courses1966

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1978

2007

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• Courses for interns and professors

• Genetic clinics

1966

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1978

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• Extension to Lubumbashi1966

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1978

2007

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• Constitution of genetic team at Lubumbashi and Kinshasa for clinic and research

1966

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1978

2007

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• Implementation of DNA extraction facility

1966

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1978

2007

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• Prosper Lukusa appointed as fulltime Professor

of human genetic at Kinshasa and visiting

professor at Lubumbashi

1966

Today

1978

2007

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2008

2009

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• Creation of the Congolese Society for Human

Genetics

• HVP country node in 2013

• 1st congress of the CoSHG

• 2nd congress of the CoSHG

1966

Today

1978

2007

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2008

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• In and out-clinics:– Developmental delay– malformations– SCD– Albinism– others

1966

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• Laboratory: molecular testing for SCD and 1966

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1978

2007

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• Regional networking: constitution of network

of geneticists from French speaking countries

since 2013

1966

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1978

2007

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• Research: 10 ongoing projects + publications1966

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2007

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Thank You