title: Multidisciplinary approach to genomics research in Africa: the AfriCRAN model.
abstract: This article is an outcome of the African Craniofacial Anomalies Research Network (AfriCRAN) Human Hereditary and Health (H3A) grant planning meeting in 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria. It describes the strengths of a multidisciplinary team approach to solving complex genetic traits in the craniofacial region. It also highlights the different components and argues for the composition of similar teams to fast track the discovery of disease genes, diagnostic tools, improved clinical treatment and ultimately prevention of diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. U.S.A.
authors.forename: Azeez
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butali
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University of Dundee, Scotland. UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mossey
authors.affiliation: South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag, X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tiffin
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Wasiu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
authors.affiliation: Department of surgery School of Medicine Faculty of health sciences Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa. Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Mekonen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eshete
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kigali Health Institute, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda.
authors.forename: Chrispinanus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mumena
authors.affiliation: Human Virology Laboratory, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 6, Edmond Crescent, P.M.B. 2013, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Audu
authors.affiliation: Human Virology Laboratory, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 6, Edmond Crescent, P.M.B. 2013, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chika
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Onwuamah
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, P.O. Box 448, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Pius
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agbenorku
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mobolanle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogunlewe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital, Kano. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adetokunbo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adebola
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Hecto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Olasoji
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Babatunde
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aregbesola
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ramat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Braimah
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Nigeria, Nssukka. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abimibola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oladugba
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, National Orthopedic hospital, Enugu. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ifeanyichukwu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Onah
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer and Information Sciences and Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ezekiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adebiyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olaitan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Ilorin. Nigeria.
authors.forename: Lukman
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abdur-Rahman
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Adebowale
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Africa; Genomics; Multidisciplinary team