Dr Olakunle Oginni, one of the co-investigators, working in collaboration with Prof. Yoon-Mi Hur, Director of the Institute of Twin Research, Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea and the Mental Health Department is investigating the genetics of twinning in Osun State, Nigeria.
We aim to identify genes responsible for twinning, especially DZ twinning. We intend to approach 1000 mothers of twins (cases) and 500 mothers with no family history of twins (control) through various avenues such as hospital records, and primary and secondary schools, and interview them to complete a short questionnaire.
Following this, we will collect a saliva sample (2ml) from willing volunteers. We will extract DNA from saliva samples and conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genes significantly involved in the mechanism of twin conception.
Prof Hur is pictured here on a courtesy visit to the Provost and Deputy Provost OAU College of Health Sciences along with the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Prof Boladale Mapayi, the principal investigator and current HOD, Mental Health.