Back to: MICROBIOLOGY 500 LEVEL
Welcome to class!
Hello my ever-curious scholar! It’s wonderful to have you here again. Today’s topic is one that’s shaping the future of healthcare across the world—including right here in Africa. We’re talking about Personalised Medicine—a groundbreaking approach that treats people based on their unique biology, instead of giving everyone the same treatment. Imagine if your medicine was chosen not just because of your symptoms, but because of your genes, your environment, and your lifestyle. That’s what personalised medicine is all about!
Let’s make it simple, practical, and completely Nigerian-friendly.
Personalized Medicine
What is Personalised Medicine?
Personalised medicine (also called precision medicine) is a way of customising medical treatment to fit the individual characteristics of each patient.
Unlike the traditional “one-size-fits-all” method, this approach asks:
What is your genetic makeup?
How does your body respond to certain drugs?
What is your family’s medical history?
What is your lifestyle and environment?
All these factors are used to make better decisions about how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases for you specifically—not just people in general.
How Does It Work?
Imagine two people in Lagos both have high blood pressure. One may respond well to Drug A, but the other may experience side effects or no change at all. With personalised medicine, a doctor can order genetic testing, understand how each person’s body reacts, and choose the right treatment.
Steps often involved include:
DNA analysis (to check for gene mutations or traits)
Biomarker testing (checking blood or tissue for clues)
Pharmacogenomics (understanding how your genes affect drug response)
Examples in Real Life
Cancer Treatment
Some cancers, like breast or colon cancer, are now treated based on genetic mutations found in the tumour. A woman with HER2-positive breast cancer will benefit from a drug like Herceptin, while another patient may need a totally different drug.
Sickle Cell Management in Nigeria
Nigeria has the highest burden of sickle cell disease. Personalised medicine can help identify the best drug combinations or even gene therapy options for specific patients, based on their gene type.
Diabetes and Diet
Some people’s genes affect how they process sugar. Personalised medicine can guide doctors to adjust diet plans and medications more effectively.
Why Is This Important in Nigeria and Africa?
Many drugs tested in Europe or America don’t work the same for Africans because of genetic differences.
Personalised medicine helps reduce trial-and-error treatments.
It improves treatment success and reduces side effects.
It can lead to better outcomes for diseases like cancer, sickle cell, diabetes, and infections common in Africa.
As we invest more in genomics, digital health records, and biobanks, Nigeria will play a major role in the global personalised medicine movement.
Summary
- Personalised medicine tailors treatment to each person’s genes, lifestyle, and environment.
- It is more effective than the “one-size-fits-all” model.
- It’s already being used for cancer, sickle cell disease, diabetes, and more.
- It holds huge potential for improving healthcare in Nigeria and Africa.
Evaluation
- What is personalised medicine and how is it different from traditional medicine?
- Mention one way genetics affects drug treatment.
- Why is personalised medicine important for African populations?
You’ve done beautifully today, future health pioneer! Understanding personalised medicine puts you at the heart of where modern science and healthcare are headed. As a Nigerian microbiologist, this knowledge can help you change lives—not just with treatment, but with precision. Keep your passion alive and your learning strong. Afrilearn is cheering you on always! See you in the next exciting class!