Page 57 - IMO-2-2

Innovative Medicines & Omics

REVIEW ARTICLE
The role of open-source bioinformatics tools in

resource-limited African settings

Shandirai Mbisva*
Department of Biotechnology, School of Industrial Sciences, Harare Institute of Technology, Harare,
Zimbabwe

Abstract

Bioinformatics is revolutionizing biological research and healthcare worldwide, yet
many African countries face significant challenges due to limited access to registered
tools and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, open-source bioinformatics
tools provide a cost-effective alternative, driving scientific progress. This systematic
review examines their impact and applications in resource-limited African settings,
particularly in genomics, drug discovery, disease surveillance, and structural biology.
A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journals
Online was conducted using keywords such as “open-source bioinformatics,”
“Africa,” and “genomics,” covering studies from 2015 to 2024. The findings highlight
significant contributions across multiple fields. In genomics, studies on sickle cell
anemia in Nigeria identified novel single nucleotide polymorphisms using FastQC
and Burrow–Wheeler alignment, improving genetic counseling and personalized
treatments. Crop genomics research in Kenya pinpointed drought-resistance genes,
enhancing food security. In disease surveillance, Nextstrain facilitated real-time
tracking of viral mutations during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks, shaping public
*Corresponding author: health responses and vaccination strategies. In drug discovery, computational docking
Shandirai Mbisva with AutoDock identified promising antimalarial and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
(pastmbisva@gmail.com)
drug candidates in Uganda and South Africa, wherease molecular dynamics simulation
Citation: Mbisva S. The role of and binding free energy analysis refined drug-target interactions. Structural biology
open-source bioinformatics tools in
resource-limited African settings. contributions from African researchers to the Protein Data Bank have provided crucial
Innov Med Omics. 2025;2(2):51-63. insights for disease-specific treatments, such as targeting malaria-related proteins.
doi: 10.36922/imo.8111 In addition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity predictive
Received: December 21, 2024 models have been employed to assess the pharmacokinetics and toxicity profiles
1st revised: February 25, 2025 of novel drug candidates, reducing reliance on costly experimental studies. These
2nd revised: March 31, 2025
Accepted: April 1, 2025 findings underscore the transformative potential of open-source bioinformatics
Published online: May 2, 2025 tools in enabling high-quality research and innovation in Africa.
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the Keywords: Bioinformatics; Open-source tools; Genomics; Resource-limited settings;
Creative Commons Attribution African research; Computational biology; Disease surveillance
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience 1. Introduction
Publishing remains neutral with Bioinformatics is often described as an interdisciplinary field comprising biology,
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional computer science, and mathematics. It has developed biological research, healthcare,
affiliations. and agriculture. In well-developed countries, proprietary bioinformatics tools are

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 51 doi: 10.36922/imo.8111