The African Initiative for Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Diseases (AI‐BOND): Investing in the next generation of African neuroscientists
Authors: Fongang Bernard , Ayele Biniyam A. , Wadop Yannick N. , Epenge Emmanuel , Nkouonlack Cyrille D. , Njamnshi Wepnyu Y. , Jian Xueqiu , Sargurupremraj Murali , Djotsa Alice B. S. Nono , Seke Etet Paul F. , Bernal Rebecca , Atangana Abdon , Cavazos Jose E. , Himali Jayandra Jung , Fonteh Alfred N. , Maestre Gladys , Njamnshi Alfred K. , Seshadri Sudha 
Published: October 2024

Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and AD‐related dementias (AD/ADRD), pose significant challenges to health care systems globally, particularly in Africa. With the advances in medical technology and research capabilities, especially in next‐generation sequencing and imaging, vast amounts of data have been generated from AD/ADRD research. Given that the greatest increase in AD/ADRD prevalence is expected to occur in Africa, it is critical to establish comprehensive bioinformatics training programs to help African scientists leverage existing data and collect additional information to untangle AD/ADRD heterogeneity in African populations. The South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, with efforts from the National Institutes of Health and the Global Brain Health Institute, has partnered with the Brain Research Africa Initiative to develop the African Initiative on Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Disease (AI‐BOND). AI‐BOND is a comprehensive and accessible training program, the aim of which is to advance biostatistics and bioinformatics expertise in Africa in studying neurodegenerative diseases. This expertise is essential to enable African scientists to utilize the extensive AD/ADRD data and enhance the continent's ability to contribute to global research efforts in this field. The training addresses the gap in analyzing neurodegenerative disease data by providing skills and knowledge in genetic epidemiology, biostatistics, and bioinformatics to African students and researchers. This innovative online training program will last 6 months and provide training in skill sets R, SAS, and Python programing, genome‐wide association studies, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome analysis, and advanced statistical methods. Additional training will include study design and manuscript and grant writing. The first cohort of the AI‐BOND program will graduate in June 2024. The AI‐BOND program is expected to build research computational capacities in Africa that will improve the ability of graduates to conduct and utilize large‐scale studies, with the goal of curbing the growing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in Africa.

Highlights

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD‐related dementias (ADRD) pose significant health challenges globally, particularly in Africa.

The most significant AD/ADRD prevalence increase is predicted to occur in Africa.

It is crucial to establish a bioinformatics training capacity in Africa to leverage the vast number of multi‐omics and imaging biomarkers of AD/ADRD data being generated.

The African Initiative on Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Disease (AI‐BOND) training addresses the gaps in study design, biostatistics, genetic epidemiology, and bioinformatics related to neurodegenerative diseases in Africa.

The success of AI‐BOND is anticipated to help build computational research capacities in Africa.