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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
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.
