African Keloid Initiative for Lesion Insight: A Single-Cell Atlas for Precision Skin Medicine

Cooperating countries: Ethiopia and Austria

Coordinating institution: Medical University of Vienna, Marcela Bucekova marcela.bucekova@meduniwien.ac.at 

Partner institutions: Debre Tabor University

Project duration: 

Budget: EUR 37.660

Abstract: 

Keloids are fibroproliferative skin disorders that arise from dysregulated wound healing and often cause pain, itching, and significant psychosocial distress—particularly when they occur on the face.Existing therapeutic strategies show limited efficacy and are associated with high recurrence rates. Notably, keloid formation is disproportionately prevalent in individuals with darker skin pigmentation (Fitzpatrick IV-VI), affecting an estimated 5-10% of African populations, which is significantly higher than in other populations. Although numerous single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) studies have been conducted in non-African cohorts to investigate the mechanisms driving keloid pathogenesis, a systematic single-cell atlas from African populations is lacking. This gap limits the development of effective, context-specific interventions.

This South–North collaborative project aims to generate the first African single-cell keloid atlas to define the cellular and molecular determinants of keloid initiation and progression. Through coordinated efforts between African clinical centres and Austrian research laboratories together with integration with existing global datasets, we will develop an inclusive and comprehensive framework for understanding keloid biology.

The proposed project comprises three interconnected parts:
(i) Single-cell transcriptomic profiling to identify disease-associated cell states, signalling pathways, and molecular drivers unique to or enriched in African populations; 
(ii) Capacity building and knowledge co-creation, including hands-on training in tissue processing, genomics technologies, and bioinformatics, to strengthen regional expertise and promote data sovereignty;
(iii) Characterization of bioactive compounds from African honeys to discover locally sourced, affordable, and mechanistically validated therapeutic candidates.

Beyond its scientific objectives, initiative establishes a sustainable, Africa-led translational dermatology platform, strengthens South–North scientific collaboration, promotes equitable data ownership and shared innovation, and addresses global disparities in representation. By addressing a major health and psychosocial burden while integrating advanced molecular technologies with traditional knowledge systems, the project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and supports equitable health research, capacity development, and long-term international collaboration in precision skin medicine.