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Innovative Medicines & Omics Open source bioinformatics tools in Africa

1.3. Overview of open-source bioinformatics tools still lacking in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa,

Tools such as Bioconductor, Galaxy, R, and Python preventing large-scale bioinformatics projects
libraries (e.g., Biopython) provide accessible, robust (ii) Training needs: The shortage of skilled
functionalities for data analysis, molecular docking, and bioinformaticians is another challenge, stemming
genomic sequencing. By reducing financial barriers, from a lack of formal education programs. Initiatives
they democratize research, allowing African scientists such asthe Pan African Bioinformatics Network for
to perform sophisticated bioinformatics tasks without the Human Heredity and Health in Africa aim to
relying on expensive proprietary software. Many bridge this gap by offering specialized training and
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platforms also support collaborative cloud-based research, building local capacity
addressing infrastructural challenges faced by African (iii) Data ownership: African researchers often face
institutions. 38 challenges maintaining control over their data, due
to reliance on international collaborators with more
1.4. Applications in genomics and healthcare advanced infrastructure.
Several real-world examples highlight the transformative The literature highlights the transformative role of
potential of open-source tools in Africa: open-source bioinformatics tools in resource-limited
(i) Genomic studies: Platforms have supported crop settings. These tools are essential for addressing specific
genome sequencing, facilitating the development of African challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and disease
drought-resistant varieties. This is vital for improving research. However, more documentation of practical
food security in the face of climate change 39 applications is needed. This study aims to fill that gap by
(ii) Infectious disease research: During outbreaks such showcasing concrete examples and success stories across
as Ebola and COVID-19, tools such as Galaxy and the continent.
Nextstrain helped analyze viral genomes, track
mutations, and model epidemics in real-time, shaping 2. Methodology
public health responses 2.1. Data collection
(iii) Drug discovery: Open-source platforms such as
AutoDock and PyMOL have enabled researchers to The literature search followed a structured workflow
conduct virtual screenings and assess potential drug (Figure 1), beginning with systematically retrieving peer-
treatments for diseases such asmalaria and TB. These reviewed articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, and
tools speed up the discovery process, reducing reliance African Journals Online, alongside institutional reports
on costly proprietary software. and Protein Data Bank (PDB) data. For institutional
reports, reports from African research centers and
1.5. Challenges and opportunities bioinformatics initiatives were reviewed. PDB was used to
Despite the benefits, several challenges remain. These identify relevant protein structures, especially those related
include: to African diseases.
(i) Infrastructure limitations: Reliable electricity, fast The inclusion criteria of the review included studies
internet, and powerful computing resources are from African countries, studies using open-source

Figure 1. Flow diagram of the methodology. Image created using open-source logos and images.

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 53 doi: 10.36922/imo.8111