The Development of Computational Biology in South Africa: Successes Achieved and Lessons Learnt
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Bioinformatics is now a critical skill in many research and commercial environments as biological data are increasing in both size and complexity. South African researchers recognized this need in the mid-1990s and responded by working with the government as well as international bodies to develop initiatives to build bioinformatics capacity in the country. Significant injections of support from these bodies provided a springboard for the establishment of computational biology units at multiple universities throughout the country, which took on teaching, basic research and support roles. Several challenges were encountered, for example with unreliability of funding, lack of skills, and lack of infrastructure. However, the bioinformatics community worked together to overcome these, and South Africa is now arguably the leading country in bioinformatics on the African continent. Here we discuss how the discipline developed in the country, highlighting the challenges, successes, and lessons learnt.
Source: PLoS Computational Biology
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,043
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, National Research Foundation, South African Medical Research Council, Bundesamt für Gesundheit, University of the Western Cape, Inyuvesi Yakwazulu-Natali, National Institutes of Health, Medical Research Council, National Human Genome Research Institute, Common Fund
OpenAlex ID: W2416767201