TY - JOUR
T1 - Bridging the gap in African biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics
T2 - Open Institute of the African BioGenome Project:
AU - Sharaf, Abdoallah
AU - Ndiribe, Charlotte C.
AU - Omotoriogun, Taiwo Crossby
AU - Abueg, Linelle
AU - Badaou, Bouabid
AU - Markey, Fatu J. Badiane
AU - Beedessee, Girish
AU - Diouf, Diaga
AU - Duru, Vincent C.
AU - Ebuzome, Chukwuike
AU - Eziuzo, Samuel C.
AU - Jaufeerally Fakim, Yasmina
AU - Formenti, Giulio
AU - Ghanm, Nidhal
AU - Guerfali, Fatma Zahra
AU - Houaga, Isidore
AU - Ideozu, Justin Eze
AU - Katee, Sally Mueni
AU - Khayi, Slimane
AU - Kuja, Josiah O.
AU - Kwon-Ndung, Emmanuel Hala
AU - Marks, Rose A.
AU - Moila, Acclaim M.
AU - Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Zahra
AU - Muzemi, Sadik
AU - Negussie, Helen
AU - Osuji, Julian O.
AU - Ras, Verena
AU - Tchiechoua, Yves H.
AU - Zoclanclounon, Yedomon Ange Bovys
AU - Tolley, Krystal A.
AU - Ziyomo, Cathrine
AU - Mapholi, Ntanganedzeni
AU - Muigai, Anne
AU - Djikeng, Appolinaire
AU - Ebenezer, ThankGod Echezona
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - Africa, a continent of 1.3 billion people, had 326 researchers per one million people in 2018 (Schneegans, 2021; UNESCO, 2022), despite the global average for the number of researchers per million people being 1368 (Schneegans, 2021; UNESCO, 2022). Nevertheless, a strong research community is a requirement to advance scientific knowledge and innovation and drive economic growth (Agnew, et al., 2020; Sianes, et al., 2022). This low number of researchers extends to scientific research across Africa and finds resonance with genomic projects such as the African BioGenome Project (Ebenezer, et al., 2022).The African BioGenome project (AfricaBP) plans to sequence 100,000 endemic African species in 10 years (Ebenezer, et al., 2022) with an estimated 203,000 gigabases of DNA sequence. AfricaBP aims to generate these genomes on-the-ground in Africa. However, for AfricaBP to achieve its goals of on-the-ground sequencing and data analysis, there is a need to empower African scientists and institutions to obtain the required skill sets, capacity and infrastructure to generate, analyse, and utilise these sequenced genomes in-country.The Open Institute is the genomics and bioinformatics knowledge exchange programme for the AfricaBP (Figures 1 & 2). It consists of 10 participating institutions including the University of South Africa in South Africa and National Institute of Agricultural Research in Morocco. It aims to: develop biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics curricula targeted at African scientists, promote and develop genomics and bioinformatics tools that will address critical needs relevant to the African terrain such as limited internet access, and advance grassroot knowledge exchange through outreach and public engagement such as quarterly training and workshops.
AB - Africa, a continent of 1.3 billion people, had 326 researchers per one million people in 2018 (Schneegans, 2021; UNESCO, 2022), despite the global average for the number of researchers per million people being 1368 (Schneegans, 2021; UNESCO, 2022). Nevertheless, a strong research community is a requirement to advance scientific knowledge and innovation and drive economic growth (Agnew, et al., 2020; Sianes, et al., 2022). This low number of researchers extends to scientific research across Africa and finds resonance with genomic projects such as the African BioGenome Project (Ebenezer, et al., 2022).The African BioGenome project (AfricaBP) plans to sequence 100,000 endemic African species in 10 years (Ebenezer, et al., 2022) with an estimated 203,000 gigabases of DNA sequence. AfricaBP aims to generate these genomes on-the-ground in Africa. However, for AfricaBP to achieve its goals of on-the-ground sequencing and data analysis, there is a need to empower African scientists and institutions to obtain the required skill sets, capacity and infrastructure to generate, analyse, and utilise these sequenced genomes in-country.The Open Institute is the genomics and bioinformatics knowledge exchange programme for the AfricaBP (Figures 1 & 2). It consists of 10 participating institutions including the University of South Africa in South Africa and National Institute of Agricultural Research in Morocco. It aims to: develop biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics curricula targeted at African scientists, promote and develop genomics and bioinformatics tools that will address critical needs relevant to the African terrain such as limited internet access, and advance grassroot knowledge exchange through outreach and public engagement such as quarterly training and workshops.
U2 - 10.1038/s41587-023-01933-2
DO - 10.1038/s41587-023-01933-2
M3 - Article
SN - 1087-0156
VL - 41
SP - 1348
EP - 1354
JO - Nature Biotechnology
JF - Nature Biotechnology
ER -