Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops
| dc.contributor.author | Sharaf, Abdoallah Lucky Tendani Nesengani, | |
| dc.contributor.author | Nesengani, Lucky Tendani | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ichrak Hayah, | |
| dc.contributor.author | Errafii,Khaoula | |
| dc.contributor.author | ETAL.. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-09-26T07:16:17Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-09-26T07:16:17Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-08 | |
| dc.description | The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) (https://africanbiogenome.org) is a coordinated Pan-African effort established in 2021 to sequence the genomes of 105,000 endemic biological species (plants, animals, fungi, protists and other eukaryotes) to improve food systems, conservation, and data sharing and benefits1 . The Open Institute for genomics and bioinformatics is the knowledge exchange program for the AfricaBP, which aims to overcome barriers to capacity-building such as curriculum development using local languages and biological species, support African research and academic institutions that have fewer resources for their research needs, and enable scientific entrepreneurial opportunities to support Africa’s bioeconomy through its distributed African regional workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics2 . Here, biodiversity genomics is defined as the application of genomics in the assessment, conservation, and improvement of biological diversity. | |
| dc.description.abstract | The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritises the exchange of grassroot knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal, and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources. Here, we discuss the implementation of transformative strategies, such as expanding the regional workshop model of the AfricaBP to involve multiple countries, institutions and partners, including the proposed creation of an African digital database with sequence information relating to both biodiversity and agriculture. This will ultimately help to create a critical mass of skilled genomics and bioinformatics scientists across Africa. Keywords: Genomics, Bioinformatics, Workshops, Trainings, Sequencing, Africa, Policy, Biodiversity, And Agriculture. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Sharaf, A., Nesengani, L. T., Hayah, I., Kuja, J. O., Mdyogolo, S., Omotoriogun, T. C., ... & Ebenezer, T. E. (2024). Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops. Nature Genetics, 56(8), 1556-1565. | |
| dc.identifier.doi | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01807-6 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.adu.ac.ae/handle/1/7514 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Nature Publishing Group US | |
| dc.title | Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops | |
| dc.type | Article |