MyAfroDNA, an African biotechnology company focused on advancing genomics research and innovation across the African continent, has announced the acquisition and deployment of the MGI CycloneSEQ™ genome sequencer. With this milestone, MyAfroDNA becomes the first facility in West Africa to deploy this advanced, portable sequencing platform.
The CycloneSEQ™ platform is a cost-efficient long-read genome sequencer designed to generate high-quality reference genomes across diverse biological systems. Its accuracy, scalable throughput, and streamlined workflows enable reliable genome sequencing, assembly and variant resolution, while supporting large-scale sequencing initiatives at a reduced per-sample cost compared to conventional long-read approaches. The system’s compact footprint and stable operation make it well-suited for sustained deployment within resource-limited research settings such as in Africa, facilitating locally led genome projects while strengthening regional capacity and data stewardship.
The CycloneSEQ™ significantly strengthens MyAfroDNA’s capacity to perform high-resolution, high-accuracy genomic sequencing, expanding applications across human health, agriculture, environment, and biodiversity research. The deployment marks a significant step toward enhancing Africa’s ability to generate and analyze genomic data locally, reducing reliance on external sequencing infrastructures.
“The acquisition of the CycloneSEQ™ genome sequencer significantly strengthens our ability to generate high-quality whole-genome data locally and at scale. It allows us to support research across health, agriculture, and biodiversity, while ensuring African-led projects are powered by African infrastructure, expertise, and data ownership”, said Dr. Justin Eze Ideozu, Founder of MyAfroDNA.
Designed for precision and scalability, the CycloneSEQ™ supports whole-genome sequencing, reference genome development, population genomics, and the accurate detection of genetic variants. Its flexible workflows enable MyAfroDNA to support both targeted studies and large-scale genomic projects requiring high data quality.
As part of this deployment, MyAfroDNA will immediately begin generating high-quality reference genomes to support biodiversity and conservation genomics in partnership with the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) and the West Africa Regional Node of the AfricaBP, Regional Center for Biotechnology and Bioresources Research (RCBBR), University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
The development has been welcomed by partners across the AfricaBP network. Professor Julian Osuji, AfricaBP West Africa Regional Node Coordinator and Head of the Regional Center for Biotechnology and Bioresources (RCBB), University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, described the presence of CycloneSEQ™ at MyAfroDNA as a significant development which will enable and support the Endangered and Endemic Species BioGenome Project of the West African Regional node of AfricaBP. It will, as well, facilitate realization of the AfricaBP-10KP 2.0 and AfricaBP Plant Genome Projects. Hopefully, our first genome sequence will be rolled out soon. I sincerely congratulate Dr Justin Eze Ideozu and MyAfroDNA for achieving this great milestone”.
MGI also emphasized the broader significance of the installation. Chen Fang, General Manager of MGI Europe and Africa, said “We are happy to see the CycloneSEQ™ deployed in West Africa with MyAfroDNA. This installation represents what MGI aims to achieve globally - democratizing access to advanced sequencing technologies. We look forward to supporting MyAfroDNA and AfricaBP in their mission to sequence Africa’s endemic species by placing high-accuracy long-read capabilities directly into the hands of African researchers"
Furthermore, Dr. ThankGod Echezona Ebenezer, Founder and Co-Chair, AfricaBP said “MyAfroDNA and MGI are two strong partners of the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) who have demonstrated strong commitments to the African genomics and molecular biology landscape. To sequence African indigenous and endemic biological species will require intentional investments by African organisations, and I’m quite pleased (and particularly proud) to see MyAfroDNA take this bold step in acquiring the portable CycloneSEQ genome sequencer. This is a testament to the AfricaBP ecosystem in enabling partnerships, collaborations, and local investments, adding to its success of consistently provoking local actions across Africa. The AfricaBP cannot wait to kickstart its sequencing with MyAfroDNA, and supporting biodiversity genome sequencing in Africa”.
This acquisition positions West Africa as an active contributor to global genomics and life sciences research. By enabling in-region and in-country sequencing, MyAfroDNA will support universities, research institutes, conservation organizations, and biotechnology companies with access to advanced genomic infrastructure previously unavailable in the region. This development reinforces MyAfroDNA’s broader mission to strengthen Africa’s biotechnology ecosystem and apply genomics to real-world challenges in health, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity conservation.
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About MyAfroDNA
MyAfroDNA is an African biotechnology company that provides a solution to the significant lack of African representation in clinical, genomics, and translational research. Contact us for questions: info@myafrodna.com
AfricaBP Media:
Fatu Badiane , Ph.D.
Chair, Communication and Public Affairs Subcommittee
African BioGenome Project
Hawwa Gabier, Ph.D.
Member, Communication and Public Affairs Subcommittee
African BioGenome Project
Contact: info@africanbiogenome.org | https://africanbiogenome.org
About AfricaBP:
The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) is a coordinated pan-African effort to build capacity (and infrastructure) to generate, analyze and deploy genomics data for the improvement and sustainable use of biodiversity and agriculture across Africa.
This is truly a landmark moment for genomics in West Africa. The acquisition of the CycloneSEQ™ by MyAfroDNA goes beyond installing new equipment — it represents a shift toward African ownership of genomic data, infrastructure, and scientific direction. For too long, high-resolution sequencing has depended on external facilities, often limiting speed, access, and local capacity building.
What makes this particularly significant is the focus on long-read sequencing, which is essential for generating high-quality reference genomes, resolving complex structural variants, and supporting biodiversity genomics. By partnering with the African BioGenome Project, this move directly strengthens Africa’s contribution to global genomic knowledge while ensuring that African researchers remain at the center of studying African species and populations.
Investments like this are foundational for advancing precision medicine, sustainable agriculture, conservation biology, and the broader African bioeconomy. It is encouraging to see infrastructure, expertise, and vision aligning within the continent. Congratulations to the team at MyAfroDNA for taking such a strategic and impactful step forward.
Congratulations for your successful achievement, go beyond it. keep it up. Yitagesu Tadesse Department of Microbial sciences and Genetics from Addis Ababa University.
Congratulations for your successful achievement, go beyond it. keep it up. Yitagesu Tadesse Department of Microbial sciences and Genetics from Addis Ababa University.