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Review
. 2022 Dec 16:4:1-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.biotno.2022.11.003. eCollection 2023.

SynBio Africa's story from the grassroots, the present, and the future

Geoffrey Otim  1 , Sandra Matinyi  1 , Erikan Baluku  1 , Ivy S G Chimulwa  1 , George P Magoola  1 , Alex Katumba  1 , Stephen Mukuze  1 , Alex Kyabarongo  1 , Stephen O Opiyo  1   2
Affiliations
Review

SynBio Africa's story from the grassroots, the present, and the future

Geoffrey Otim et al. Biotechnol Notes. .

Abstract

SynBio Africa is a forum for researchers, students, citizen scientists, policymakers and the public to convene and develop successful pathways for the propagation of synthetic biology technologies, products, and services throughout Africa. Our vision is to have a healthy, safe, and sustainable world through synthetic biology. In Africa, synthetic biology has the potential to greatly contribute to national development agenda through the following ways: i) by anchoring a sustainable bioeconomy; ii) by helping develop innovative medicines; iii) by reducing pollution, and iv) by increasing crop production to reduce hunger. However, there is little to no information on synthetic biology and its regulatory policies in Africa. Across the continent, scientists, policy makers, researchers and others are still working in silos-only partaking in consultative meetings to try and develop a set of unified policy guidelines. SynBio Africa is therefore proposing to establish the first Center of Excellence in Synthetic Biology in Africa with six themes, namely: research, capacity development, innovation hub, biosafety and biosecurity, and bioinformatics and data science, and one-health. Accordingly, SynBio Africa will work with collaborators from government and non-governmental organizations, the public and private sectors, and educational institutions from Uganda, Africa, and around the world to implement these six themes.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Percentage of online participants from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Word cloud is based on participants' comments on synthetic biology and its benefits.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Grassroots, present, and future proposals for themes and collaborators for the center of excellence in synthetic biology in Africa.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A. The opening of the inaugural International Synthetic Biology Biosecurity Conference in Africa by the Uganda Minister of Science, Technology, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero. B. The participants attending the virtual and onsite International Synthetic Biology Biosecurity Conference in Africa C. A group photo at the closing ceremony of the International Synthetic Biology Biosecurity Conference in Africa.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
A) I. sakaiensis adhering to PET film, B) Reaction Equation: The enzymes PETase and cutinase degrade PET to BHET, MHER, and TPA + EG. MHET can be further degraded by the enzyme MHETase.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
A) a biosensor device for detecting antibiotics residues, B) a proposed hand device for detecting antibiotics residues in whole blood, serum or plasma.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Geoffrey Otim (center back) with other SynBio Africa members and guests during the opening ceremony of SynBio Africa office in Entebbe, Uganda.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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