Rumbidzai Chitongo

H3ABioNet

H3ABioNet, a Pan African Bioinformatics Network is being developed to support H3Africa research projects through the development of bioinformatics capacity on the continent. Specifically H3ABioNet aims to: Engage with the H3Africa Consortium, providing a framework for integration and communication amongst its members to ensure progress towards the common goal of full exploitation of our genomic and environmental resources for translation into improved health in Africa. Develop a core bioinformatics infrastructure (hardware and human resources) to aid research in genomic medicine, high throughput biology, systems biology, genetics, and medicine, for the study of human heredity and health. Develop tools and bioinformatics solutions appropriate for exploitation and interpretation of biological information in Africa, and make these more accessible to H3Africa researchers. Develop research partnerships and promote interaction between bioinformaticians, clinicians, molecular geneticists and ethics researchers to ensure integrative research into health issues in Africa. Develop the bioinformatics capacity of people in Africa to empower them to perform cutting edge research, and to ensure retention of bioinformatics skills on the continent. Facilitate secure, high-fidelity storage and management of data generated within the H3Africa framework and their deposition in public databases, so that maximum value can be derived from these data. Ensure that the increasing amount of information from genomic analyses and high-throughput molecular biology is accessible to all H3Africa researchers, to promote health research, scientific progress and global competitiveness in Africa. http://www.h3abionet.org/