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#ScienceAfrica and Africa Data ChallengeHouse of Lords - Mar. 16th, 2015
Bioinformatics approaches to Genomics
Africa Data Challenge
Dr Jelena Aleksic, Ms Ibukun Akinrinade and Dr Sarah Hoey
…/TReNDinAfrica
@TReNDinAfrica
trendinafrica.org
Who are TReND in Africa?
Courses and Workshops- Insect Neuroscience and neurogenetics- Building Extracellular Amplifiers- Molecular Biology- Bioinformatics approaches to NGS- Epigenetics and neurological disorders
Donations, Outreach and Innovation- Equipment donations shipped- Outreach projects supported- 3D printing lab equipment- TReNDberry Pi and Arduino Projects- Leveraging Open-Source Soft/Hardware
TReND in Africa: Founded 2011
TReND and the Africa Data Challenge
TReND in Africa – PEIBioinformatics Approaches to Genomics
Computational Biology WorkshopIcipe, Nairobi, Kenya
November 2015
21st CenturyHuman genome sequencing and the dawn of “Big Data”- driven biology
2014“A Data Revolution for Sustainable Development” & “Africa’s Scientific Independence”
Course extension“Train the trainers” to run their own bioinformatics courses
Staff from Bingham University, Nigeria
The promise of computational biology
Bioinformatics: Low cost and scientifically powerful.
A lot of data and tools are freely availableIt is mainly expertise that is required to analyse and use them.
~£25
Lower overheads and need for specialised equipment make this a promising area for developing cutting edge, low cost research
Computers can also be low cost.
How we run our workshops
African-led- Researchers at participating institutions select the topics
and focus of the workshops for further technical training. - The workshops are run collaboratively.
Pan-African participation- The students attend our courses from across the African
continent. - As well as valuable technical training, this provides a
strong peer network and follow-on support.
Hands on / intensive- Our workshops provide immersive training in the most cutting-edge research techniques in bioinformatics.
The instructors- TReND is a network of volunteer scientists from top world
universities. - The trainers at our workshops are experts in their fields.
Instructors were shipped from worldwide
What our students say about us
“You have ignited in me a real passion. This is the best course I ever attended”
“Working on real data enhanced our grasp of the theory”
“The choice of topics were superb”
“The lecturers were knowledgeable andpassionate about their topics”
“The ‘do it yourself’ approach enabledthe students to learn the material
faster and better”
“The practical lessons were very well conducted and no-one was left behind”
“Very engaging. You wouldn’t leave a classwithout learning something.”
Our partners
Dr Daniel Masiga (icipe, Kenya)• Head of Molecular Biology at icipe• Performing cutting edge research• Involved in scientific capacity building in Africa
Ms Ibukun Akinrinade (University of Bingham, Nigeria)• Neuroscience researcher• Science advocate• Organising and promoting workshops in West Africa
The course timeline
May 2015- Course is publicly announced. Call for applications
November 2015- Course takes place at icipe, Nairobi
Train the trainers: University of Bingham staff will get a special place at the course, including a lot of 1:1 time with each of the lecturers, to train them to deliver the same course at their home university.
December 2015 – February 2016- Analysis of pre- and post-course questionnaires and student feedback- Continued support of Bingham staff in preparation of their home course- Seeking of finance for the Bingham University course
March 2016- The University of Bingham run their own course, with financial support from TReND
Timeline
Participants= 30
30+ colleagues /participant = 900+
200+ students /participant= 6000+
Young people in outreach= 100+
1st year benefit= 7000+
Bioinformatics approaches to Genomics
Impact, Benefit and Longevity
Enhanced knowledge and skills of African scientists- Acquisition of skills in computational biology - Advance individual research projects- A new generation of data analysts
Improved research capacity across Africa - Students from different academic institutions - Expertise and skills back to home departments
Improved undergraduate teaching - African scientists begin lecturing after undergraduate degree- Improved training & course materials for undergraduates
Outreach initiatives - TReND course alumni are keen to reach young people- Improved scientific education -> more African scientists- Drive towards scientific independence for Africa
Plus Bingham staff-taught participants
… as well as their colleagues and students.
Innovation and Monitoring
Bioinformatics approaches to Genomics
Monitoring- Pre- and post-course questionnaires- Small groups working together- Instructor-supervised hands-on
experience- Post-course presentations
Innovation- Teaching the latest bioinformatics skills- Sharing open-access course material- Using open-source data and technologies- African students in an African university- Students from across the continent
Acquisition of unavailable skillsFostering a new generation of data analysts
Putting African scientists on-par with developed countries
Propelling Africa towards scientific independence
Thank you!
#ScienceAfrica and Africa Data ChallengeHouse of Lords - Mar. 16th, 2015…/TReNDinAfrica
@TReNDinAfrica
trendinafrica.org