The University of the Free State – Next Generation Sequencing (UFS – NGS) Unit is a business research facility under the Faculty of Health Sciences, dedicated to advancing the field of genomics. The UFS – NGS Unit was established with a vision to develop genomic capacity across Africa. The Unit provides genomic services to researchers upon request, supporting projects that span genomic surveillance, molecular epidemiology and clinical research. In addition, the Unit plays a critical role in training the next generation of genomic scientists, by offering practical, hands-on experience to visiting scientists, postgraduate students and appointed scientific interns.

The UFS – NGS Unit is proud to serve as a WHO Collaborating Center for Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance and Pathogen Genomics. We are a sequencing laboratory for the African Enteric Viruses Genome Initiative (AEVGI) and are affiliated with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), where I serve as Chairperson of the VPD Focus Group arm of the Africa CDC Pathogen Genome Initiative (PGI).

As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we reflect on a decade of innovation, growth and excellence. Over the past 10 years we have sequenced thousands of research samples, these efforts have contributed to more than 80 peer reviewed publications in high impact international journals. These publications and findings informed real world health policies, contributing to national and ministerial technical reports on Covid-19 variants in South Africa and Vibrio cholerae variants in Malawi. In parallel, we have built over 50 research partnerships locally and internationally and are currently driving 10 active major research projects.

As the UFS – NGS Unit is now home to the Research Chair in Genomic Surveillance of Respiratory and Enteric Pathogens from Children in South Africa. This marks a symbolic milestone highlighting our commitment to strengthening Africa’s capacity for independent pathogen monitoring and reinforces its pursuit of health sovereignty.