Global Advocacy and TReND in Africa. Research training Research facilities Cost- effective model...

Global Advocacy and TReND in Africa

Researchtraining

Research facilities

Cost- effective

model systems

Open source

Skills transfer programme

Outreach

Research training

Intensive practical-based schools:

• IBRO school on insect neuroscience and Drosophila neurogenetics (Uganda & Tanzania) – 4th just finished

• TReND school on molecular biology of brain ageing (Mekelle, Ethiopia) – 1st just finished

• TReND-ICIPE school on bio-informatics (Nairobi, Kenya) – Calls open, November 2014

• TReND school on “How to build your own equipment with open source resources” (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) – Planning for 2015

• Human brain imaging and behavioural neuroscience course – being planned

• Equipment donations paired with short visits from experts upon request from partner Universities

Support research facilities andSkills transfer programme

Support research facilities andSkills transfer programme

• Important equipment donated so far to Universities in Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria

Optimising resources

Use of cost-effective model organisms• State-of-the-art genetics in Drosophila, Anopheles, Aedes

• Physiology methods in bees, grasshopers and crickets

Tom Baden

Open HardwareOpen HardwareHardware

Thomas.baden@uni-tuebingen.de

Science is expensive!

Science is expensive!

Open Source Software

Mini-“computers“ & microcontrollers

~$50-100

~$35

~$30

Desktop 3D printers

~$2-4k

~$250-500RepRap

Replicator2

Some open hacks for lab equipment

Hackateria.org

Sterilisation hood

PCR

Extracellular Amp

Backyard brains

Pipettes

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/open-source

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/open-source

PhoneScope

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/open-source

Key: Customizabililty

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/open-source

Key: Customizabililty

Survey amongst African academics

Computer Literacy

Never

hea

rdNo

acce

ssHav

e trie

dRo

utine

use

r

Open Hardware

low high

N = 77 responses, 10 African countries, 23 Universities

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/open-source

Leveraging Open Hardware

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/education

Leveraging Open Hardware

Teaching how to improvise

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/education

Chinese chop sticks

Webcam

Teaching how to improvise

http://trendinafrica.org/activities/education

Mobile phone camera

~10*9V Batteriesin series to power the gel

Open Neuroscience

A.M. Chagas

http://openeuroscience.wordpress.com/

Outreach• Outreach to students and teach-the-teachers at primary and secondary

schools as well as Universities and general public in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania

• Fight stigmas on brain diseases with education• Mega-outreach during Brain Awareness week• Press coverage – Nigerian National TV• Attracted international funding – Wellcome Trust• Run by TReND alumni using open source equipment

How?

Suggestions for effective brain research advocacy in Africa

Governments

Universities

Industry

- Campaign to raise sciences status

- More funding for basic research

- Promote IT literacy - Less teaching for researchers

- Improve teaching methods- critical thinking

- Encourage public outreach

- More communication

- Increase partnerships with university researchers

- Train local technicians to maintain equipment

Summer schools

www.trendinafrica.org

• We share 60% of our DNA

•70% of known human disease genes have Drosophila counterparts.

• Inexpensive to bread

•Easy to transport

•Friendly community

•Genetic tools!!!

Why flies?

Outcome

2011 Course survey (took into account for second course)

Outcome

2011 Course survey (took into account for second course)

Outcome

2011 Course survey (took into account for second course)

Neuroscience MSc course at KIU

- Take the syllabus from Tuebingen University and adjust it to suit teaching capacity at KIU- Will be taught by local faculty when expertise is available, international faculty will fly in

for short intensive courses, and on line teaching will be implemented to complement the teaching experience

- Plan approved by the educational council in Uganda- In co-ordination with Tuebingen grad school for Neuroscience.