classicsites

As Africa advances toward sequencing and understanding its vast biodiversity, locally led genomics projects are helping to shape a new model for research, innovation, and equity on the continent. A recent initiative led by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Genomics Platform, in partnership with DIPLOMICS, the 1,000 South African Genomes (1KSA) initiative, African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP), and MGI Tech, …

Sequencing in Africa: Lessons learned from building chromosome-level plant genomes Read More »

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Genomics Platform has expanded the continent’s sequencing capacity with the installation of Africa’s first MGI T7 high-throughput sequencer, made possible through a strategic partnership with BGI and MGI Tech.As one of the first purpose-built sequencing facilities in Africa, the SAMRC Genomics Platform was established to promote accessible, collaborative, and sustainable genomics research. Operating …

Africa’s First MGI T7 Sequencer Installed at the SAMRC Genomics Platform Read More »

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute has published a paper capturing its ambitious effort to advance genomics and bioinformatics capacity across Africa, while promoting sustainable bioeconomy strategies and biodiversity conservation. The paper, published in npj Biodiversity (a Nature Portfolio journal) and titled Unlocking the African Bioeconomy and Strengthening Biodiversity Conservation through Genomics and Bioinformatics …

African bioeconomy through the lens of biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics Read More »

Inqaba Biotec, in partnership with the University of South Africa (UNISA), is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Africa’s first PacBio Revio sequencing platform. This groundbreaking development marks a significant milestone in the continent’s genomic research capabilities.This state-of-the-art (PacBio Revio) equipment is a third generation long read DNA sequencing system being acquired through a collaborative …

Inqaba Biotec and UNISA to launch Africa’s first PacBio Revio sequencing platform Read More »

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) implemented a successful series of workshops in 2023 referred to as the Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics Regional Workshops (Open Institute), as reported in Nature Genetics. The AfricaBP Open Institute conducted 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics across 11 African countries, covering 5 African geographical regions. The workshops …

Establishing grassroots genomics and bioinformatics programs to train over 400 Africans yearly Read More »

Since its inception in 2021, the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP), has made significant gains towards its ambitious goal of sequencing 100,000 endemic African species within the next 10 years. Recently, AfricaBP reported the successful implementation of the Open Institute in Nature Biotechnology, a pioneering biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics knowledge exchange programme.The AfricaBP Open Institute’s framework …

Accelerating knowledge exchange in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics Read More »

9 February 2023, NAIROBI, KENYA — The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) and the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) are partnering to advance scientific approaches to safeguard Africa’s biodiversity through genomics  Africa is home to the world’s mega biodiversity hotspots, and it is currently experiencing an unprecedented loss of its biodiversity due to human overexploitation …

Partnership to safeguard African biodiversity through genomics Read More »

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) published a position paper in the journal Nature highlighting the goals, priorities, and roadmap of the impressive Africa-led effort to sequence the genomes of plants, animals, fungi, and protists that are endemic to the continent of Africa. Following its pilot launch in June 2021, AfricaBP now hosts 109 African scientists …

The Next Frontier for African Genomics – Safeguarding African Biodiversity Read More »