Project Leads
The Problem
Researchers working in the life sciences are generating data of increasing size and complexity due to modern high throughput genome sequencing and molecular techniques. Interpreting this/such data is essential to understand health and diseases and to develop solutions to improve African and global health. Unfortunately, few universities in eastern Africa offer advanced degrees (Master’s or PhD) in Bioinformatics training and those that do often lack sufficient teaching faculty, infrastructure and/or active, relevant and stimulating research environments where the students can be exposed to high quality data and emerging bioinformatics applications and developments. Considering this and also the inadequate modern research infrastructure in Africa, there is an ever-increasing need to develop the human and physical capacity for bioinformatics research in Africa to enable the interpretation of valuable African genomics data.
Project Strategy
- Establish a collaborative network of three universities and four research institutes in eastern Africa to deliver an excellent harmonized MSc program in Bioinformatics training and research mentorship.
- Generate a cohort of at least 48 highly trained bioinformatics master’s graduates who can engage in international collaborations and lead analysis of data generated by H3Africa and other high-profile projects.
Potential Impact
The increasing number of highly qualified bioinformaticians trained through EANBiT will have the knowledge and skills to analyze genomics, genetic and environmental data relevant to cross cutting health issues in eastern Africa. They will be competent to engage in equitable collaborations as highly qualified Bioinformaticians with peers in Africa and elsewhere, to lead research, participate in the analysis of complex datasets and train the next generation of bioinformaticians. As genomic data grows in influence on health research and practice, growing the generation of young Africa scholars with this competence is essential.
Program highlights include:
- Harmonized MSc. in Bioinformatics curricula that have been developed and established at Pwani University in Kenya and Makerere University in Uganda
- 32 MSc. in Bioinformatics fellowships have been awarded in 03 different cohorts from 2019 to date.
- Eight (8) out of nine (9) of the Cohort 01 fellows graduated in June 2021. The ninth has successfully defended their thesis and is finalizing corrections for final submission.
- Cohort 01 fellows are currently transitioning to PhD (2), and employment (3).
- One cohort 02 fellow has been awarded a PhD fellowship starting September 2021. The cohort fellows are currently finalizing their MSc. projects.
- Three (3) bioinformatics residential trainings have been conducted (01 Virtually) with 90 participants in total.
Project Sites
A: Kenya
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Pwani University, Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI hub)
B: Uganda
Makerere University, Uganda Virus Research Institute
C: Tanzania
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Additional Resources
September 11, 2020
Eastern Africa Network for Bioinformatics Training – (EANBiT) PROGRAM SUMMARY Developing sufficient mass of research leaders requires a large starting pool of high quality trainees at the early stage of the training pipeline and support to enhance their progression up the pipeline. As such Masters training,
August 18, 2020
African Female Breast Cancer Epidemiology (AFBRECANE) Study Project summary Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women globally and it is increasingly overtaking cervical cancer as the commonest female cancer in low and middle income countries (LMIC). The incidence of breast cancer Nigeria was 54.3 per 100,000 per year (24,750 new cases per year) in 2014 representing a rise from 20 per 100,000 in the 1970s (3,000 new cases per year).
August 10, 2020
Overall Recent viral outbreaks in West Africa, specifically the 2013-16 Ebola Virus Outbreak, shed light on the many limitations of current surveillance and diagnostics in the region’s public health systems. Tools for rapid, accurate
August 5, 2020
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the commonest genetic disorder in the World. It is most prevalent in Africa. We have established SickleGenAfrica:Sickle Cell Disease Genomics Network of Africa to build capacity locally to enable African scientists study genomics of SCD on the continent
August 4, 2020
Advanced genetic and genomic technologies promise to transform our understanding and approach to human health and disease. Such genomic analyses are now common in Western populations of European descent.
August 4, 2020
AWI-Gen is the Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic Studies, an NIH funded and university supported Collaborative Center of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa
