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Abu Dhabi, UAE – A team of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi has uncovered critical differences in immune responses that make children from the Fulani ethnic group in West Africa less susceptible to malaria compared to their Mossi counterparts. The study sheds new light on how genetic and lifestyle factors influence disease resistance and could pave the way for new malaria prevention strategies.
Malaria susceptibility varies significantly among African ethnic groups, but the underlying reasons have remained unclear. Africa, with its vast genetic and environmental diversity, presents a unique landscape for disease susceptibility research, yet its populations remain underrepresented in genomic studies. The Fulani, a traditionally nomadic group known for their herding lifestyle and reliance on livestock-derived foods, such as milk, have long been observed to exhibit greater resistance to malaria compared to other groups.
In a study titled Single-cell Transcriptomics Reveals Inter-ethnic Variation in Immune Response to Falciparum Malaria, published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi and collaborators in Burkina Faso analyzed immune cells from 126 children. They compared the immune responses of the Fulani—who have lower malaria susceptibility—to the Mossi, a group with higher susceptibility to the disease.
The findings revealed that Fulani children’s monocyte cells, which are crucial in the early stages of immune response, were less inflammatory than those of Mossi children, thus reducing disease pathogenesis. Conversely, their B cells, responsible for antibody production, were more active and pro-inflammatory, offering enhanced protection against malaria. The study highlights the role of both genetic predisposition and dietary habits in shaping immune function and disease resistance.
Lead researcher Dr. Tala Shahin, a postdoctoral associate in NYU Abu Dhabi’s Idaghdour Lab specializing in immuno-genomics, emphasized the significance of the findings. “Our research—built on two years of intensive fieldwork studying Fulani and Mossi children—highlights the power of leveraging genetic and lifestyle diversity in Africa to uncover novel biological insights, underscoring the importance of empowering underserved populations in genomic studies,” said Shahin.
The study was co-authored by NYU Abu Dhabi undergraduates Jakub Jurkovic, Bana Alamad, and Odmaa Bayaraa, demonstrating the university’s commitment to engaging young researchers in groundbreaking scientific inquiry.
More information: Tala Shahin et al., Single-cell Transcriptomics Reveals Inter-ethnic Variation in Immune Response to Falciparum Malaria, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2025.01.020
Disclaimer: This article is based on research findings and does not constitute medical advice. Malaria prevention and treatment strategies should always be guided by healthcare professionals and public health authorities.
