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Review
. 2024 Aug;56(8):1556-1565.
doi: 10.1038/s41588-024-01807-6. Epub 2024 Jul 8.

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops

Abdoallah Sharaf #  1   2 , Lucky Tendani Nesengani #  3 , Ichrak Hayah #  4 , Josiah Ochieng Kuja #  5 , Sinebongo Mdyogolo  3 , Taiwo Crossby Omotoriogun  6   7 , Blessing Adanta Odogwu  8   9 , Girish Beedessee  10 , Rae Marvin Smith  3 , Abdelhamid Barakat  11 , Acclaim M Moila  12 , Adil El Hamouchi  11 , Alia Benkahla  13 , Amal Boukteb  14 , Amine Elmouhtadi  15 , Antoine Lusala Mafwila  16 , Asmaa Mohammed Abushady  2   17 , Assem Kadry Elsherif  17 , Bulbul Ahmed  18 , Charles Wairuri  19 , Charlotte C Ndiribe  20 , Chukwuike Ebuzome  21 , Craig J Kinnear  22 , Deborah-Fay Ndlovu  23 , Driss Iraqi  15 , Elmostafa El Fahime  24 , Ermias Assefa  25 , Faissal Ouardi  26 , Fatima Zohra Belharfi  27 , Fatim Zohra Tmimi  28 , Fatu Badiane Markey  23   29 , Fouzia Radouani  11 , Francis Zeukeng  30 , Georges Lelo Mvumbi  16 , Hamilton Ganesan  12 , Mariem Hanachi  13 , Helen Nigussie  31 , Hicham Charoute  11 , Ichrak Benamri  11 , Ikram Mkedder  27 , Imane Haddadi  27 , Issam Meftah-Kadmiri  32 , Jackson Franco Mubiru  33 , Jean-Baka Kodjo Domelevo Entfellner  34 , Joan Bayowa Rokani  33 , Joel Ogwang  33 , Jude Bigoga Daiga  30 , Judy Omumbo  23 , Justin Eze Ideozu  35 , Khaoula Errafii  18 , Kim Labuschagne  36 , Komi Koukoura Komi  37 , Libert Brice Tonfack  30 , Lydia Hadjeras  38 , Madeleine Ramantswana  39 , Mamohale Chaisi  36 , Marietjie W Botes  40 , Mariëtte Kilian  19 , Marija Kvas  19 , Marouane Melloul  24 , Melek Chaouch  13 , Meriem Khyatti  11 , Michael Abdo  38 , Mmatshepho Phasha-Muchemenye  41 , Mohamed Hijri  18 , Mohammed Rida Mediouni  27 , Mohammed Ahmed Hassan  42 , Mohammed Piro  43 , Monica Mwale  36 , Mossaab Maaloum  28 , Mudzuli Mavhunga  36 , Nicholas Abraham Olivier  44   45 , Oumaima Aminou  43 , Oumayma Arbani  46 , Oussema Souiai  13 , Pierre François Djocgoue  30 , Rachid Mentag  15 , Renate Dorothea Zipfel  45   47 , Rolland Bantar Tata  48 , Rosette Megnekou  30 , Sadik Muzemil  49 , Sadye Paez  50 , Samson Pandam Salifu  51 , Samuel Paul Kagame  52 , Sarra Selka  27 , Sean Edwards  38 , Semir Bechir Suheil Gaouar  27 , Shaimaa Roshdy Abdullah Reda  17 , Siham Fellahi  43 , Slimane Khayi  15 , Soumia Ayed  27 , Thabang Madisha  39 , Tulsi Sahil  38 , Ogbuagu Ugorji Udensi  53 , Verena Ras  54 , Victor Ezebuiro  8   9 , Vincent C Duru  55 , Xavier David  38 , Yonas Geberemichael  25 , Yves H Tchiechoua  56 , Zahra Mungloo-Dilmohamud  57 , Zhiliang Chen  38 , Christian Happi  58 , Thomas Kariuki  23 , Cathrine Ziyomo  34 , Appolinaire Djikeng  3   34   59 , Bouabid Badaoui  60   61 , Ntanganedzeni Mapholi  62 , Anne Muigai  63   64 , Julian O Osuji  65   66   67 , ThankGod Echezona Ebenezer  68
Affiliations
Review

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops

Abdoallah Sharaf et al. Nat Genet. 2024 Aug.

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 prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 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 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 create a critical mass of skilled genomics and bioinformatics scientists across Africa.

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References

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