A groundbreaking genomic study conducted in Sudan has uncovered that Sudanese Copts carry unusually high resistance to Plasmodium vivax, one of the most widespread malaria-causing parasites. Researchers, analyzing the genomes of 125 Sudanese individuals, found that nearly 89% of Sudanese Copts carry the Duffy-null allele, a genetic variant that blocks the parasite from infecting red blood cells. Scientists believe this resistance was acquired roughly 1,000 to 1,500 years ago when Coptic ancestors—who migrated from Egypt—intermixed with local Nilo-Saharan populations. The findings represent one of the strongest examples of recent natural selection ever documented in humans and mark the first recorded case of this type of malaria adaptation within mainland Africa. Researchers say the findings could meaningfully inform disease research, treatment strategies, and a broader understanding of human evolutionary adaptation.
The Conversation