Decoding Health: Insights from Anthropological and Molecular Genetics

Abstract (English)

Decoding Health: Insights from Anthropological and Molecular Genetics explores the intricate relationship between human health, evolutionary history, and genetic diversity. By integrating anthropological perspectives with advances in molecular genetics, this panel provides a holistic understanding of how genetic variations, cultural practices, and environmental factors have shaped human health across populations and time. Anthropological studies reveal how migration, diet, and cultural evolution influenced genetic adaptations related to immunity, metabolism, and disease susceptibility. Molecular genetics complements this by uncovering the underlying genomic mechanisms, such as the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), epigenetic modifications, and ancient DNA in tracing disease histories and evolutionary traits. This interdisciplinary approach also would shed light on the origins of complex diseases, genetic resilience to environmental stressors, and the interplay between ancient pathogens and human hosts. Moreover, it offers contemporary applications in precision medicine by linking ancestral genetic insights with modern health challenges. By decoding the past through anthropological and molecular genetic lenses, this study not only reconstructs the health narratives of human populations but also provides actionable insights for addressing present and future health issues in diverse global communities.