First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC): Towards a dynamic bioinformatics community

Ebenezer, ThankGod E. and Isewon, Itunuoluwa and Oladipo, Elijah Kolawole and Awe, Olaitan and Adebiyi, Marion and Ajamma, Yvonne and Afolabi-Balogun, Nusrah Bolatito and Toye, Emuejevoke T. and Fasesan, Deborah E. and Kashim, Zainab A. and Oluwagbemi, Olugbenga and Oyelade, Jelili and Ogbole, Faith and Benthai, Benjamin and Asilebo, Ijeoma and Abraham, Abati and Oduwole, Tawakalt Olasumbo and Adamolekun, Emmanuel and Adetunji, Charles Oluwaseun and Ahmad, Umar and Tijjani, Abdulfatai and Akinleye, Callistus and Osamor, Victor Chukwudi and Onwuamah, Chika and Amoo, Olufemi and Taiwo, Idowu A. and Iwalokun, Bamidele Abiodun and Ekenna, Chinwe and Salako, Babatunde and Adebiyi, Ezekiel and Nashiru, Oyekanmi and Fatumo, Segun First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC): Towards a dynamic bioinformatics community. First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC). (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The human genome project, which was completed in 2003, ushered in a new era of scientific applications in medicine and bioscience, and also enhanced the generation of high-throughput data which required laboratory and computational analytical approaches in fields known as genomics and bioinformatics respectively. Internationally, specific advances have been achieved which involved the formation and emergence of strong scientific communities to sustain these technological advancements. On the African continent and regionally, the Human Hereditary and Health in Africa (H3Africa), Biosciences eastern and central Africa - International Livestock Research Institute (BecA - ILRI) Hub, and the Alliance for Accelerated Crop Improvements in Africa (ACACIA), are helping to push some of these advances in human health, biosciences, and agriculture respectively. In Nigeria, we believe that significant advances have also been made by various groups since the human genome project was completed. However, a scientific gathering platform to sustainably enable scientists discuss and update these progresses remained elusive. In this article, we report the First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC) hosted by the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). The conference was held from 24th - 26th June, 2019, with the theme: “Bioinformatics in the era of genomics in Africa”. Quantitatively, the conference recorded 195 online registered participants, and up to 186 actual participants; comprising of 8 keynote speakers, 6 invited speakers, 25 oral presenters, 83 poster presenters, and up to 73 non-presenting participants. Attendees with national (up to 179) and international (up to 16) affiliations also participated at the conference. Qualitatively, broad scope of bioinformatics, genomics and molecular biology presentations in biomedicine, health, and biosciences were featured at the conference. We discuss the conference structure and activities, lessons learned, and way forward for future bioinformatics conferences in Nigeria. We further discuss the relevance of the conference which presents an increased visibility for the Nigerian bioinformatics community, positions Nigeria as a dynamic community player within the African bioinformatics space, and provides a platform for national impact through the application and implementation of the benefits of bioinformatics.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Depositing User:	Mr Uchechukwu F. Ekpendu
Date Deposited:	05 Jul 2021 09:04
Last Modified:	05 Jul 2021 09:04
URI:	https://eprints.lmu.edu.ng/id/eprint/3178

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