Expanding the Genome with Dr. Danillo Augusto

de-CIPHERing Infectious Disease

Episode 12

In this conversation, Danilo shares his journey from Brazil to the US, detailing his experiences with the neglected autoimmune disease Pemphigus and his current research focus on genomic equity. He discusses the importance of studying underrepresented populations in genomics and the challenges faced in addressing health disparities.

Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu.

Key Takeaways

• Pemphigus is a neglected autoimmune disease endemic to Brazil.
• Health disparities are evident in the lack of research on diseases affecting poor populations.
• Most genomic studies focus on European ancestry, creating gaps in understanding.
• Danilo secured a significant NIH grant to study Pemphigus.
• Understanding limitations leads to better scientific partnerships.
• Team science is essential for addressing complex research questions.
• Genetic variation in immune regions is often overlooked.
• SARS-CoV-2 research revealed strong genetic associations.
• Environmental factors can trigger health issues in populations.
• Future research should focus on underrepresented genetic regions.

This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson
CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast