The African Bioinformatics Institute (ABI) was officially launched on October 1, 2024, marking a transformative step in advancing genomics and bioinformatics research across the African continent. Backed by funding from Wellcome and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the ABI aims to bolster Africa’s capacity in life sciences, addressing pressing health challenges through cutting-edge research infrastructure.

Headquartered at the University of Cape Town, the ABI has secured £5.2 million from Wellcome’s Discovery Research Directed Activity, along with an additional £1.2 million from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Over the next five years, the institute plans to expand across multiple African sites, creating a pan-African research network focused on genomics and bioinformatics while supporting a range of life sciences initiatives.

One of the institute’s primary goals is to equip African researchers with the necessary infrastructure and expertise to independently sequence and analyze genomes—particularly of pathogens—without relying on external resources. This enhanced capacity is expected to significantly improve Africa’s response to emerging disease threats while advancing precision medicine by enabling tailored treatments based on genetic data.

Professor Nicola Mulder, Head of the Computational Biology division at the University of Cape Town and leader of ABI’s development, emphasized the importance of addressing Africa’s growing demand for bioinformatics training and support. “With many data-intensive projects emerging across the continent, it is crucial to develop a pan-African facility that can meet the demand for bioinformatics expertise and infrastructure,” Mulder said.

Beyond genomics, the ABI will also focus on computational biology and data science, acting as a central hub for life sciences research across Africa. By streamlining efforts among African institutions, the ABI aims to create a cohesive research ecosystem, avoiding duplication and maximizing the impact of research projects. The institute will build on the foundation established by H3ABioNet, which has fostered a growing bioinformatics community on the continent.

The ABI’s research areas will span genomic medicine, pathogen genomics, and computational biology for biodiversity. As an independent research institution, it will offer training, infrastructure, and analytical services to African scientists, ensuring that critical research tools and resources are readily available.

Looking ahead, the ABI plans to consult stakeholders across Africa to determine its permanent headquarters and regional locations, ensuring it remains responsive to the diverse needs of the continent’s researchers. This inclusive approach aims to support sustainable, long-term research initiatives that can drive forward Africa’s life sciences sector.

 

Article by Jed Mwangi

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https://wellcome.org/news/were-establishing-new-institute-advance-genomics-africa