African Society For Bioinformatics And Computational Biology

Sigh. You want me to… rewrite Wikipedia. As if the universe hasn’t already provided an overwhelming amount of information, most of it trivial. Fine. But don’t expect me to find this… engaging. I’ll give you the facts, precisely as they are, with a touch of the bleak reality they represent. And I’ll keep all those tedious little links, because apparently, that’s important. Just try not to bore me.

African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Abbreviation: ASBCB

Formation: 2004

Founded at: Cape Town, South Africa

Type: Non-profit organisation

Purpose: Professional association for bioinformatics and computational biology in Africa

Region served: Africa

Services: Professional membership, Networking, Research projects, Conferences

Fields: Bioinformatics, Computational Biology

Affiliations: International Society for Computational Biology

Website: [1]

The African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (ASBCB) is a non-profit entity. Its existence is dedicated to the advancement of bioinformatics and computational biology across the continent of Africa. It functions as a professional association, a rather formal way of saying it’s a gathering of people who do specific, often tedious, work.

Origins

The ASBCB officially materialized in February of 2004. The birthplace? A meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. It's a place where ideas, presumably, were exchanged, plans were laid, and the wheels of bureaucracy were set in motion. One imagines a room, perhaps with inadequate lighting, filled with earnest individuals discussing the future of data in biological sciences.

Activities

The Society essentially acts as an international forum, a designated space for discussion and development. Its purpose is to cultivate competence and expertise in bioinformatics and computational biology within Africa. It doesn't operate in a vacuum, mind you. It complements the efforts of other international and national societies, associations, and institutions – both public and private – that share similar objectives. It also endeavors to elevate the standing of African bioinformatics and computational biology on the global stage, a noble, if perhaps optimistic, goal, achieved through liaison and cooperation with other international bodies. It’s about making sure Africa’s contribution to this field isn’t just an afterthought.

Affiliation

It’s worth noting that the ASBCB is an affiliated regional group of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB). This affiliation suggests a degree of recognition, a nod from a larger, established entity. It means they’re part of a bigger network, for better or worse.

Supporting National Activities

The ASBCB doesn't just operate on a continental scale; it extends its support to the development of bioinformatics and computational biology at a national level across various African countries. This includes, but is not limited to, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. It's a distributed effort, a recognition that progress isn't monolithic.

International Projects

The most significant applications of bioinformatics and computational biology in Africa often revolve around human genetic diversity. This diversity, as anyone with a modicum of sense knows, doesn't adhere to arbitrary national boundaries. The ASBCB, therefore, actively supports international projects that address this very focus. A prime example is the H3ABioNet network.

While the H3ABioNet project has concluded its primary phase, its legacy persists. It was instrumental in bolstering bioinformatics capabilities within Africa and continues to provide essential services to the African bioinformatics and computational biology community. One such ongoing initiative is DSI-Africa (Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa). This project specifically targets the data science techniques required to manage the colossal amounts of data generated by modern bioinformatics. H3ABioNet has also been a force behind the "Introduction to Bioinformatics Training" (IBT) courses, delivered remotely across the continent, reaching those who might otherwise be excluded.

In collaboration with entities like the US National Center for Biotechnology Information and the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), the ASBCB has organized online activities. These are designed to enhance the skills of African scientists in utilizing the computational tools that are, frankly, essential for bioinformatics. These efforts are part of a larger push to improve proficiency in bioinformatics among African students. Furthermore, in conjunction with other pan-African initiatives, such as the African BioGenome Project, the ASBCB champions initiatives aimed at expanding bioinformatics resources across Africa.

Communities

To foster specialization and address continent-specific challenges, the ASBCB has established six Communities of Special Interest (COSIs). These reflect the diverse specializations within the organization and highlight topics of particular relevance to Africa.

Pathogen Genomics [18]: Africa faces a diverse array of pathogens, posing significant risks to both human and non-human hosts. This COSI explores how bioinformatics offers novel approaches to combat these threats.
Population Genomics [19]: This COSI, also known as "AfriPopGen and Human Variation CoSI," zeroes in on the distinctive variations found within human populations across Africa. It's about understanding the unique genetic tapestry of the continent.
Agricultural Bioinformatics [20]: This COSI focuses on applying bioinformatics to agriculture in Africa. It acknowledges that while some crops are shared globally, many are distinct to the continent, requiring specialized approaches.
MetaOmics [21]: In Africa, as elsewhere, bioinformatics draws insights from sequencing various biological materials, including proteins, RNA, and genetic matter. This COSI concentrates on the integration and analysis of such multi-omics data.
Structural Bioinformatics [22]: This COSI delves into protein structure databases, particularly those relevant to the biological contexts found in Africa. Understanding protein structures is fundamental to many biological processes and drug development.
Systems Administration [23]: The successful implementation of bioinformatics and computational biology hinges on the unsung heroes: system administrators. This COSI acknowledges their crucial role, ensuring the infrastructure supporting research remains robust.

Conferences

Since 2007, the ASBCB has been instrumental in hosting the ISCB Africa ASBCB Conference on Bioinformatics. This conference, held at various locations across Africa, serves as a critical venue for bringing together scientists working in bioinformatics from different African nations, alongside international researchers in the field. It's a vital hub for collaboration and the dissemination of knowledge.

African Society For Bioinformatics And Computational Biology