Issues Limiting Issues Limiting development of development of BioinformaticsBioinformatics

Francis Francis Oguya, NMKOguya, NMK

The gap in AfricaThe gap in AfricaWeak capacity in

◦Taxonomy ◦Curatorial expertise ◦Infrastructure ◦Appropriate taxonomic tools

Flow of Taxonomic Information on plants and animals a major impediment

The gap in AfricaThe gap in AfricaTaxonomy is MOTHER of all

biological sciences because it helps us ◦Identify◦Describe◦Classify the diversity of life

Biodiversity must be described properly, it must be protected and saved and be utilized sustainably and be further developed.

Bio-informatics – the solution Bio-informatics – the solution to our problems?to our problems?

It is the process of capturing, managing,

interpreting, generating and disseminating biodiversity information, mainly at the specimen, species and ecosystem levels.

Bioinformatics provides tools and resources for managing and analysing the biodiversity data.

BI ... WHAT....??!!!BI ... WHAT....??!!!The application of Bioinformatics,

is a fairly new discipline in the African continent and relatively unknown to the majority of institutions

BI courses are not taught at our local universities

University Faculties are traditional and uninterested in new applications

Need for EngagementNeed for EngagementLone range Research Scientists are

focused on research with end game - PUBLICATION – game over!!!

Little or no - application of research to issues that are relevant to the country – how can this be done effectively??

Linkages between Researchers and Government organisations which require PRODUCTS from research

Engagement – chicken & egg Engagement – chicken & egg situationsituation

The culture of Governments seeking out research findings – lacking

Government decision making based NOT ON EVIDENCE, but anecdotal and emotional

Researchers seem irrelevant to Government because they are immersed in their science and are not developing products addressing Government needs

RESULT – Government purse strings are tied, little/no support for research and BI

Some thoughts...Some thoughts...Researchers need to seek out Government

and find out how they can make contributeResearchers need to engage with academic

institutions to enlighten on career pathways towards taxonomy and BI

Researchers need to engage with tertiary institutions to initiate BI programs at undergraduate level

Institutions that have Biodiversity holdings MUST MAINSTREAM BI into their strategic planning

ASANTETHANK YOUOBLIGATOREMERCIE