Workshop Explores the Promise of Genomic Research

Participants and facilitators pose for a photo with Ag. Director, Research and Development, Prof. Nelly Mugo (Centre) after the Opening Ceremony

A two-week-long Whole Genome and Metagenomics Sequencing training course is being held at KEMRI Headquarters in Nairobi. The training that kicked off on 18th March 2024 brings together researchers drawn from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya with the intent to build regional capacity for genomic data analysis.

The participants will receive training on long-read sequencing on Nanopore sequencing technology for genomic analysis and metagenomics applications, with a special focus on areas such as; SARS CoV-2 epidemiology, bacterial genomics, antimicrobial resistance, the detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, detection of virulence genes and plasmid replicons, bacterial characterization, and the annotation and visualization of genomic data.

In her opening remarks, the Acting Director Research and Development, Prof. Nelly Mugo, emphasised the training’s crucial role in clinical diagnostics and its direct impact on public health. She expressed her hopes that the training would further equip the participants with valuable skills. Dr. Lillian Musila, a bacteria sequencing and bioinformatics expert noted that genome sequencing is able to provide vital information on genes that play a key role in disease prognosis and management.

*Participants engage and listen to the presentations*

*Prof. Nelly Mugo making her remarks during the Opening Ceremony*

“As a clinical researcher, and from listening to this morning presentation by Dr. Lillian Musila, I believe that this training is instrumental and will be crucial in diagnostics, it is my prayer that the training will equip us more as we work towards ensuring the health of our communities and the region as a whole,” intimated Prof. Mugo.

The training will employ a multi-faceted approach incorporating lectures, brief laboratory demonstrations and bioinformatics analysis. The workshop is a collaborative effort between KEMRI, the East African Consortium for Clinical Research (EACCR) and the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), and it is organized by KEMRI’s Dr. Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Dr. Erick Muok, & Dr. Steve Wandiga, and KCRI’s, Dr. Happiness Kumburu and Dr. Vesla Kullaya

The training in pictures