#ScienceAfrica and Africa Data Challenge House of Lords - Mar. 16 th, 2015 Bioinformatics approaches to Genomics Africa Data Challenge Dr Jelena Aleksic, Ms Ibukun Akinrinade and Dr Sarah Hoey 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 – PEI Bioinformatics Approaches to Genomics Computational Biology Workshop Icipe, Nairobi, Kenya November st Century Human 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 available It 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 and passionate about their topics” “The ‘do it yourself’ approach enabled the 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 class without 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 Course is publicly announced. Call for applications November 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 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 The University of Bingham run their own course, with financial support from TReND Timeline

Participants = colleagues /participant = students /participant = Young people in outreach = st year benefit = 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 skills Fostering 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 Challenge House of Lords - Mar. 16 th, 2015 trendinafrica.org