The African Continent Ramps Up Efforts To Crack the Code on Outbreaks

Rhea-AI Summary

Illumina is enhancing genomics capacity in Africa through significant contributions, having donated over $9 million in sequencing systems, reagents, and training over the past two years. This initiative, part of the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative, aims to address public health challenges by improving the ability to analyze genomic sequences, crucial for identifying pathogens and their mutations. Before the pandemic, only seven African nations had adequate national laboratories for such analyses. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for improved genomics capacity, prompting this partnership.

Positive

• Donation of over $9 million to improve genomics capacity in Africa.
• Partnership with the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative to enhance public health.
• Increase in laboratories capable of genomic analysis in African countries.

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 17, 2023 / Illumina

Samuel Oyola, senior scientist and head of genomics at Nairobi's International Livestock Research Institute, near a vat used for long-term storage of specimen samples. Photo by: Sara Jerving / Devex

Originally published on Devex

By Sara Jerving

On a recent afternoon in Nairobi, Kenya, about two dozen scientists gathered, peering at a screen that to the untrained eye looked like gibberish - rows of letters but no coherent words.

The scientists were attending a training to advance skills in the analysis of genomic sequences - a process where the genetic code of an organism is turned into data which reveals information about its characteristics. It's an important technique in public health to determine what pathogen is inflicting a community and whether it's mutating.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only seven African countries had national laboratories equipped to do this. But the need to identify new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 forced laboratories to ramp up this expertise in an unprecedented way.

During the first year of the pandemic, the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative was launched as a partnership to close gaps in genomics capacity. As part of that partnership, over the past two years, American biotechnology company Illumina donated over $9 million in sequencing systems, reagents, and training to the continent.

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https://www.accesswire.com/749520/The-African-Continent-Ramps-Up-Efforts-To-Crack-the-Code-on-Outbreaks

FAQ

What impact has Illumina had on genomics capacity in Africa?

Illumina has donated over $9 million in sequencing systems and training to enhance genomics capacity in Africa.

What is the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative?

It is a partnership aimed at improving genomics capacity in Africa, especially for public health purposes.

How many African countries had national laboratories for genomics before the pandemic?

Before the pandemic, only seven African countries had national laboratories equipped for genomics analysis.

Why is genomic sequencing important in public health?

Genomic sequencing helps identify pathogens affecting communities and tracks their mutations.