The NGS applications in Africa are growing but remain constrained by resource limitations. Researchers are increasingly utilising NGS to study genetic diversity, infectious diseases prevalent in our region such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, and agriculture genomics in an effort to improve crop production. The UFS-NGS Unit embodies the UFS’s commitment to education and capacity-building by nurturing the next generation of bioinformatics and computational biologists. We cultivate a talent pool that is not only proficient in technical skills but is also equipped with a critical thinking and problem-solving ability necessary to tackle complex biological questions.
To meet the growing demand for enhanced capacity in bioinformatics and genomic data analysis, the University of the Free State – Next Generation Sequencing Unit (UFS-NGS Unit) built upon previous experiences and organised the “Intermediate to Advanced Bioinformatics Workshop 2024” from 01st – 05th July 2024. Under the guidance of Prof. Martin Nyaga, Associate Professor at the UFS-NGS Unit and serving as Director, WHO CC, the workshop convened 45 participants and trainers from Africa, Australia, United States of America and the United Kingdom, along with representatives from over 11 universities across South Africa.
The workshop was opened by Prof. Nicholas Pearce, Acting Dean for the Faculty of Health Sciences, who welcomed the guest speakers; Mr. Tebogo Machete (DRD-UFS), Dr Khuzwayo Jere (University of Liverpool), Dr Francis E. Dennis (Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Ghana), Dr Francis Chikuse (Africa CDC), and Prof Arox Kamng’ona (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi). Prof Nicholas Pearce said the commencement of this workshop marks a significant milestone in the journey towards advancing scientific research and discovery.
“Bioinformatics at its core represents the convergence of biology, computer science and information technology. It empowers researchers and scientists with tools and methodologies to unravel the complexities of biological systems decoding and deriving meaningful insights that can revolutionise health care, agriculture, environmental sciences and beyond,” said Prof Pearce.
The establishment of the UFS-NGS unit, he continued, is a testament to the UFS’s commitment to excellence and research and innovation. It serves as a dedicated hub where experts from diverse fields come together to harness the power of NGS technologies. These technologies have not only accelerated the pace of genomic research, but paved the way for personalised medicine, precision agriculture and understanding of ecological dynamics.
Trainers/researchers with the expertise and passion for bioinformatics led the “Intermediate to Advanced Bioinformatics Workshop” and greatly inspired the participants. The workshop audience included individuals from a Molecular Biology background, interested in bioinformatics, and who work (or are planning to work) on genomic datasets. Over the course of the workshop, these attendees engaged in a series of hands-on sessions that covered advanced topics such as Linux command lines, whole genome data analysis,16S metagenomics data analysis, virome analysis, and phylogenetic analysis. The practical sessions allowed participants to apply theoretical concepts to real data, enhancing their proficiency in using sophisticated bioinformatics tools. It is noteworthy that the organizers made arrangements to facilitate the continued application and sustainability of the knowledge gained, in that regard, participants were granted access to the HPC platform for ten days following the conclusion of the workshop.
The UFS-NGS Unit is a highly regarded and experienced provider of sequencing services for pathogens isolated from diverse matrices, emphasizing the ‘One Health’ approach. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being the designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance and Pathogen Genomics. We express our profound appreciation to the Distribution Platform in Omics (DIPLOMICS), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO) for their sustained support of the unit’s activities and their unwavering commitment to advancing bioinformatics and supporting the scientific community.
This workshop had a testament to the power of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community building. We’ve learned from each other, grown together, and forged lasting bonds.
Written by: Ms. Somila Nazo
Edited by: Prof. Martin Nyaga, Mr. Kennedy Chibesa and Dr. Emmanuel Ogunbayo
