ASHG 2026 · Tier 2–3 Academic

University of the Witwatersrand at ASHG 2026

Name: ASHG 2026 Annual Meeting
Start: 2026-10-20
End: 2026-10-24
Location: Montréal

Johannesburg, South Africa

University of the Witwatersrand at ASHG 2026 in Montréal: 5 presentations (3 featured symposia, 2 posters); 3 research groups.

presentations on the program

research groups identified

sessions invited to or moderated

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Organization	ASHG 2026 Attendance
University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa	2 PhD Students · 1 Postdoc · 1 PI
Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB)sbimb.africa Wet + dry lab~25 people Analyzes African genomic, phenotype and electronic health-record data. Runs a biobank with DNA extraction, PCR and Illumina iSeq for precision medicine. 84 papers since 2024 › Expanding the human gut microbiome atlas of Africa Nature, 2025 A multi-cohort genome-wide association study in African ancestry individuals reveals risk loci for primary open-angle glaucoma Cell, 2024 Reporting guidelines for precision medicine research of clinical relevance: the BePRECISE checklist Nature Medicine, 2024 Source: OpenAlex author A5055162088 Funded by Roche, National Institutes of Health › Roche, Roche Research Chair for Precision Medicine and Genomics in Africa · active “appointed as the inaugural Roche Research Chair for Precision Medicine and Genomics in Africa” National Institutes of Health, AGenDA · active “with approval from the funder (National Institutes of Health)” Source: lab pages 11 platforms and techniques › Works with Chemagic 360, GenePure, iSeq Illumina platform, Electronic health records Techniques DNA extraction, Genotyping, Real-time PCR, Variant calling, Whole-genome sequencing, Shotgun sequencing, Human liver tissue Source: lab pages Currently hiring › “We are looking to appoint a Research Professor who will be our Roche Research Chair for Precision Medicine and Genomics in Africa” Source: lab positions page	Poster Thu Oct 22 4:15 pm The impact of methodological approach and ancestral proximity on PGS performance - trends from a continental African cohort Evolutionary and Population Genetics Polygenic risk scoreMetabolic disorderComplex traitsMachine learning Symposium Fri Oct 23 8:15 am Introduction Recent Advances and Opportunities Across the African Disease Genomics Landscape Symposium Fri Oct 23 9:40 am Closing remarks Recent Advances and Opportunities Across the African Disease Genomics Landscape Moderator Sat Oct 24 11:15 am Globalizing Human Genetics: From Discovery Through Implementation ★1 invited symposium speaker
Deciphering Developmental Disorders in Africa (DDD-Africa)wits.ac.za/pathology/divisions/human-genetics/research/ddd-africa Evaluates clinical exome sequencing in an African setting. Builds a framework for evidence-based healthcare reform and precision public health in Africa. 2 platforms and techniques › Techniques clinical exome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing Source: lab pages No funding stated · No openings posted	Poster Thu Oct 22 4:15 pm DNA methylation episignatures as a novel approach to improve diagnosis in African rare disease patients in the DDD-Africa study Epigenomics DiagnosticsEpigeneticsIntellectual and developmental disabilityMendelian disorder
Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Biosciencewits.ac.za/research/sbimb Wet + dry lab~53 people Uses whole-genome sequencing, PCR and biobank DNA, blood and tissue samples. Supports precision medicine research in African populations, including cancer and pharmacogenomics. 84 papers since 2024 › Expanding the human gut microbiome atlas of Africa Nature, 2025 A multi-cohort genome-wide association study in African ancestry individuals reveals risk loci for primary open-angle glaucoma Cell, 2024 Reporting guidelines for precision medicine research of clinical relevance: the BePRECISE checklist Nature Medicine, 2024 Source: OpenAlex author A5055162088 Funded by NIH, NIH +4 more › NIH, Data Science Initiative for Health Innovation in Africa · active ““MADIVA is a research hub of the NIH’s Data Science Initiative for Health Innovation in Africa”” NIH, AGenDA consortium study · active ““one of the PIs for the NIH-funded AGenDA consortium study”” Roche, Roche Research Chair for Precision Medicine and Genomics in Africa · active ““The five-year grant is designed to accelerate African-led genomics research”” +3 more on the lab page Source: lab pages 16 platforms and techniques › Runs Chemagic 360, GenePure, Illumina iSeq 100, ProFlex PCR ThermoCycler, QuantStudio 5, Qubit Fluorometer 4, BioAnalyzer, Nanodrop One Techniques whole-genome sequencing, genome-wide association studies, polygenic risk scores, machine learning, biomolecular modeling, pharmacogenomics, microbiome analysis, genotyping Source: lab pages No openings posted	Symposium Fri Oct 23 8:35 am Blood regulatory variation in South Africans enables GWAS interpretation: Applications to HIV susceptibility and quantitative traits Recent Advances and Opportunities Across the African Disease Genomics Landscape

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