Monkgomotsi Maseng


Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP) Gaborone, Botswana

Project

Pharmacogenetics of dolutegravir in HIV-infected subject from Botswana

Collaboration Interests
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Drug metabolism
  • HIV drug resistance
  • Human genetics
  • Pharmacogenetics

Monkgomotsi Maseng is a laboratory scientist based at the University of Botswana. One of her key areas of focus is exploring the role of host factors, including genetic components, in the development of antimicrobial resistance and chronic inflammation. Through her research, she aims to shed light on the genetic variations among individuals, especially concerning. These genetic differences significantly influence treatment outcomes. In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, burdened with infectious diseases like HIV, TB, and malaria, it has become crucial to investigate drug-gene interactions as potential risk factors for treatment failure. Understanding these host factors can pave the way forward for the development of tailored prevention, control, and treatment methods. This tailored approach, rooted in the principles of pharmacogenetics, ensures efficient and safe treatments, minimising the risks of side effects and drug resistance.


Maseng’s research underscores the importance of personalised treatment strategies, emphasising the significance of dosage adjustments based on individual genetic profiles. By adopting this approach, therapeutic outcomes can be optimised, ultimately improving the effectiveness of treatments for HIV, TB, malaria, and other chronic infections.

SANTHE is an Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) flagship programme funded by the Science for Africa Foundation through the DELTAS Africa programme; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Gilead Sciences Inc.; and the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard.