Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) and BGI Genomics, China signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance Genomics and Bioinformatics Capacity at AHRI.
In the last few years AHRI has been expanding its capacity in genomics and bioinformatics through the support of the Ministry of Health, Ethiopia and other partners. AHRI seeks to further enhance its capabilities in whole genome sequencing (WGS), metagenomic sequencing, whole exome sequencing (WES) and Epigenetic Sequencing.
BGI Genomics, China has a cutting-edge sequencing and bioinformatics technology and is the world’s leading integrated solutions provider of genomics and precision medicine serving more than 100 countries around the world.
A delegate led by Dr. Ning Li, Vice President of BGI Group, and Executive Vice President, BGI Global Development, and Chen Songheng, General Manager of BGI Ethiopia and Africa, today visited AHRI and on behalf of BGI Genomics Co. and BGI Ethiopia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AHRI.
The MOU signed between AHRI and BGI seeks to enhance cooperation in research and development using AHRI’s additional sequencing facility that will be established using BGI’s genome sequencing technology. BGI has already donated DNBSEQ-G400 to AHRI and is keen to work with AHRI and enhance AHRI’s capacity in genomics and precision medicine. With the support of BGI and the Ministry of Health, Ethiopia, AHRI is now finalizing the establishment the sequencing facility.
Prof Afework Kassu, Director General of AHRI, expressed AHRI’s aspiration to be the leading centre in Genomics and Bioinformatics and that will serve not only Ethiopia but also neighbouring African countries. He also highlighted the growing cooperation between Ethiopia and China and the positive role this agreement between AHRI and BGI will play in further enhancing this cooperation. Dr Alemseged Abdissa, Deputy Director General for Research and Innovation at AHRI also expressed AHRI’s desire and ongoing activities to link research with medical services. Dr. Ning affirmed BGI’s commitment to support AHRI in advancing its capacity in genomics and precision medicine.