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Origins Map

UCSF

Created on December 18, 2024

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Transcript

How Illness Emerged from Adaptation

As human populations spread around the globe, genetic changes that helped them survive in new environments also laid the foundation for new diseases.
Click on a to learn more.
Low Blood Sugar

Global Journey

Migraines
Humans diverged from apes
6 millionyears ago
Skin Cancer
Autoimmune disorders
A BRANCH OF THE HUMAN FAMILY SPLIT
TYPE 2 diabetes
700,000years ago
200,000
Modern humans left Africa and migrated around the globe
60,000
High Blood Pressure
Chronic Kidney Disease
40,000
Some migrants interbred with Neanderthals and Denisovans
Sickle Cell Disease
Obesity
2,500

Type 2 diabetes

Genes: SLC16A11 / SLC16A13

Genes that changed lipid metabolism enabled type 2 diabetes.

Modern Humans Left Africa and Migrated Around the Globe

As people settled in different environments, their genomes acquired new DNA modifications that boosted their survival but often came with tradeoffs.

A Branch of the Human Family Split

One lineage stayed in Africa and evolved into modern humans. The other migrated north, and its descendants were the Neanderthals and Denisovans.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Gene: APOL1

Genes that helped humans resist infection from the “sleeping sickness” parasite increased the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Humans diverged from apes

DNA sequences that transformed during human evolution, known as human accelerated regions, may have boosted cognition as well as our risk of psychiatric diseases.

Skin Cancer

Genes: SLC24A5 / SLC45A2 / MC1R / BNC2

Neanderthal and Denisovan genes associated with lighter skin – which ensured survival at higher latitudes – increased the risk of dermatological disorders like skin cancer.

Sickle Cell Disease

Genes: HBB / G6PD / GYPA / GYPB / GYPC

Genes that prevented malaria by shaping red blood cells like sickles gave rise to sickle cell disease.

Autoimmune disorders

Genes: TLR6-TLR1-TLR10 / HLA / STAT2 / OAS

Neanderthal genes that helped early humans fight pathogens led to autoimmune disorders and elevated COVID-19 risk.

Low Blood Sugar

Gene: CPT1A

A gene that allowed people to metabolize high-fat diets also raised the risk of low blood sugar and infant mortality.

Some Migrants Interbred with Neanderhals and Denisovans

As a result, many people today carry a small percentage of their DNA.

High Blood Pressure

Genes: EGLN1 / EPAS1

Genes that enabled the body to function at higher altitudes, where oxygen levels are lower, also elevated blood pressure.

Migraines

Gene: TRPM8

A gene that increased tolerance to cold also triggered migraines.

Obesity

Gene: CREBRF

A gene that likely helped Indigenous settlers store fat for times when food was scarce caused obesity and diabetes when calories became more abundant.