title: Widening participation would be key in enhancing bioinformatics and genomics research in Africa.
abstract: Bioinformatics and genome science (BGS) are gradually gaining roots in Africa, contributing to studies that are leading to improved understanding of health, disease, agriculture and food security. While a few African countries have established foundations for research and training in these areas, BGS appear to be limited to only a few institutions in specific African countries. However, improving the disciplines in Africa will require pragmatic efforts to expand training and research partnerships to scientists in yet-unreached institutions. Here, we discuss the need to expand BGS programmes in Africa, and propose mechanisms to do so.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Karikari
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biological Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quansah
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Department, Menoufia Medical School, Menoufia University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Wael M Y
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mohamed
keywords: Africa; Agriculture; Bioinformatics; Biomedical research; Computational biology; Genomics