SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY IN AFRICA

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS IN AFRICA

ABSTRACT:

Synbio Africa is a forum for researchers, students, citizen scientists, policy makers and the public at large to convene and develop successful pathways for the propagation of synthetic biology technologies, products, and services throughout Africa. Synthetic biology promises to provide sustainable, low-cost, breakthrough technologies to many grand challenges in Africa via innovations in agriculture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, and environmental conservation, crop improvement, microbial bio production. Amidst all the challenges ranging from funding, negative public perception towards biotechnology, lack of political will and regulatory framework, and many more, SynBio Africa is positioned to champion synthetic biology awareness communication and advocacy in Africa, and to become a center of excellence in synthetic biology research, education, and biosecurity.

This webinar will also feature a research presentation from Nzungize Lambert. The RNA-seq method works by sequencing each RNA molecule and profiling the expression of a certain gene. The Gene expression profiles of patients with a variety of bacterial or viral infections are revealed by RNA sequencing data. Each pathogen induces a specific biomarker that is easily identifiable by RNA seq between patients compared to healthy controls. The RNASeq data gives researchers a new perspective on the transcriptome’s intricacy. The use of RNA sequencing in Africa can help with diagnosis, categorization, and identification of key genes in patients with infectious illnesses and identify important genes in animals or plants with economic impacts to Africa.

BIOGRAPHY:

Synbio Africa is a forum for researchers, students, citizen scientists, policy makers and the public at large to convene and develop successful pathways for the propagation of synthetic biology technologies, products, and services throughout Africa. Synthetic biology promises to provide sustainable, low-cost, breakthrough technologies to many grand challenges in Africa via innovations in agriculture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, and environmental conservation, crop improvement, microbial bio production. Amidst all the challenges ranging from funding, negative public perception towards biotechnology, lack of political will and regulatory framework, and many more, SynBio Africa is positioned to champion synthetic biology awareness communication and advocacy in Africa, and to become a center of excellence in synthetic biology research, education, and biosecurity.

This webinar will also feature a research presentation from Nzungize Lambert. The RNA-seq method works by sequencing each RNA molecule and profiling the expression of a certain gene. The Gene expression profiles of patients with a variety of bacterial or viral infections are revealed by RNA sequencing data. Each pathogen induces a specific biomarker that is easily identifiable by RNA seq between patients compared to healthy controls. The RNASeq data gives researchers a new perspective on the transcriptome’s intricacy. The use of RNA sequencing in Africa can help with diagnosis, categorization, and identification of key genes in patients with infectious illnesses and identify important genes in animals or plants with economic impacts to Africa.