Scientists Decode Turkana DNA to Explain Survival in Harsh Climates
A team of international researchers has discovered how the Turkana people of northern Kenya have genetically adapted to one of the harshest landscapes on earth.
The study, published in Science today, shows that thousands of years of natural selection have shaped unique biological traits that help the Turkana survive scorching heat, chronic water shortages and limited vegetation.
The research was conducted under the Turkana Health and Genomics Project (THGP), a collaboration between Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the Turkana Basin Institute (TBI), Vanderbilt University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Sospeter Njeru, co-principal investigator and KEMRI’s Deputy Director at the Centre for Community Driven Research, said the project combined genomics, anthropology and biology and worked closely with the local community.
“Working with the Turkana has been transformative for this research. Their insights into their environment, lifestyle and health were key in linking our genetic findings to real life survival strategies,” he said.
The scientists sequenced 367 whole genomes and analyzed over 7 million genetic variants. They found several regions of the genome under strong natural selection and one gene, STC1, stood out for its role in desert living.
STC1 is expressed in the kidneys and helps conserve water during dehydration and enables the body to process purine rich foods such as meat and blood, both staples in the Turkana diet.
According to Principal Investigator Julien Ayroles of the University of California, Berkeley, the findings show the importance of combining scientific research with indigenous knowledge.
“Our partnership with the Turkana community shows how traditional knowledge systems are essential for understanding human survival in extreme environments,” Ayroles said.
The study suggests these adaptations emerged 5,000 years ago when northern Africa experienced significant drying. Genetic traits that promoted resilience in arid conditions were naturally selected and the Turkana thrived.
“This work shows how human populations adapted to climate shifts through genetic evolution,” said Epem Esekon, Turkana County’s Executive for Health and Sanitation.
But the researchers also warned these adaptations may have unintended consequences today. KEMRI’s Acting Director General, Dr. Elijah Songok said as more Turkana move to urban areas, traits that once protected them could increase risks of chronic diseases such as hypertension, kidney disease and diabetes.“With people moving from rural to urban areas we are seeing changes in disease patterns. This research shows how evolutionary mismatch can contribute to modern health challenges,” he said.
Amanda Lea, co-principal investigator from Vanderbilt University, said studying communities in transition is useful for understanding how past adaptations impact present day health.
Experts say the Turkana story goes beyond survival – it has global lessons for resilience.
“Worldwide, indigenous communities like the Turkana are key to advancing our understanding of human adaptation,” said Dr. Dino J. Martins, Director of the Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University. “Their connection to one of the hottest and driest parts of the earth provides insights into how climate change is shaping human biology and health.”
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Scientists Decode Turkana DNA to Explain Survival in Harsh Climates