A pioneering scientific study that could transform the world’s preparedness for future viral pandemics is nearing completion at the University of Ghana (UG).
The research, led by Maame Ekua Acquah, a PhD candidate at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), is investigating whether human genes—specifically those that viruses exploit to enter cells—play a defining role in determining who becomes severely ill during infections and who does not.
If successful, her findings could provide the blueprint for predicting vulnerability long before an outbreak occurs, reshaping how countries respond to fast-spreading viral threats such as COVID-19.
At the centre of Acquah’s work is the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), the cellular “doorway” many viruses—including SARS-CoV-2—use to infiltrate the human body.
Speaking to Newcenta, she explained that the research seeks to determine whether this “door” behaves differently in different people and, crucially, whether these variations influence the severity of disease outcomes.
“Pathogens do not act alone to cause disease.”
“My work aims to understand how human genes shape the evolution of viruses like COVID-19 and why, under similar exposure, some individuals become severely ill while others experience mild or no symptoms,” she said.
Mapping genetic differences across populations
Her research, titled ‘Unlocking Pandemic Prevention’ began three years ago and is scheduled for completion in July 2026.
To explore gene–virus interactions in real-world settings, Acquah collected 1,243 biological samples from two contrasting environments: the Greater Accra Region, representing urban populations, and the Central Region, offering a peri-urban comparison.
The selection was intentional, designed to examine whether socioeconomic and environmental factors influence how ACE2 behaves across different groups.
Sampling was conducted through a mix of community engagements and health outreach programmes—an approach she says helped strengthen trust and expand participation.
If the study confirms significant genetic or behavioural differences in ACE2 expression, it could unlock new pathways for predicting who is most at risk during viral outbreaks.
Such information would be invaluable for public health planning—allowing health systems to prioritise vulnerable populations, pre-position resources, and customise treatment strategies at the earliest stages of a pandemic.
“This work could illuminate how humans and pathogens interact,” Acquah noted, “and ultimately guide us to better ways of preventing or protecting ourselves from future pandemics.”
Global recognition for a rising scientist
Acquah’s groundbreaking research has earned her a place among 30 exceptional young scientists honoured in the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Awards.
The laureates—25 PhD candidates and 5 postdoctoral researchers—represent 18 African countries and were selected from over 550 applications.
For her, the award is both a privilege and a responsibility. “It motivates me to share my findings widely and make science accessible,” she said.
Her passion for science began early. In secondary school, a teacher who encouraged her to explain her favourite biology topics to classmates helped solidify her interest.
Today, she combines that early spark with perseverance and creativity, using even art to communicate complex scientific ideas.
“To me, being a woman in science means stepping onto a stage of possibilities,” she said.
“My aspiration is to see equitable research capacity across nations so we can leverage our diversity to better understand and eliminate infectious diseases.”
A continental push toward gender equity in science
The L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards come at a time when Sub-Saharan Africa is steadily improving female representation in scientific fields.
UNESCO data shows countries like Kenya have increased women’s participation in research from 25.7% in 2013 to 38.4% in 2023.
Namibia and South Africa now see women comprising over half of graduating students in higher education.
Yet challenges remain. Across the continent, women still represent only one-third of researchers.
The annual Young Talents Awards aim to shift this trajectory by supporting emerging women scientists with financial grants—€10,000 for PhD researchers and €15,000 for postdoctoral fellows—as well as training in leadership, communication, and career development.
The programme has supported over 270 African women scientists in the last 15 years, connecting them to a global network of more than 4,700 women researchers.
The diversity of scientific work honoured this year reflects Africa’s vast research needs—from cancer therapeutics, explored by Kenyan scientist Margaret Murage, to climate-resilient cassava varieties identified through genomic science by Cameroon’s Ramal Cyrielle Ndougonna.
Transforming pandemic preparedness
Acquah’s research could become one of the most influential contributions of the cohort.
By mapping how human genetic variations affect viral penetration and severity, her findings may guide governments on how to build more agile, more targeted, and more equitable emergency response systems.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how devastating it can be when health systems are caught unprepared.
A tool that predicts who is most vulnerable—based not only on age or pre-existing conditions but on genetic predisposition—could revolutionise triage systems, vaccine deployment strategies, and early-warning surveillance across Africa and beyond.
As the world anticipates the next pandemic—not as a possibility but an inevitability—research like Acquah’s may hold the key to saving millions of lives.
And for Ghana, her work stands as proof that world-class scientific breakthroughs can emerge from African laboratories, shaping global solutions to global problems.
