BioStruct-Africa’s scalable framework for AlphaFold-enabled research training and sustainable workforce development in Africa
Abstract
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming structural biology and accelerating access to protein structures, yet many Africa-based scientists still lack infrastructure, training opportunities, and sustained mentorship to fully benefit. Here, we describe BioStruct-Africa’s community-driven framework integrating AlphaFold, experimental structural biology, and computational drug design to train 1000 scientists over the next decade.
Citation
Amofa, J.O., George, J., Okumu, N.A., Ohene, M., Terefe, E.M., Tsomene, S.L., Tougue, O.C., Bejide, I.O., Nabukeera, K.C., Nelson, A.Y., Tagne, C.S.D., Osabutey, P.Y., Ndiaye, A., Nkwe, D.O., Ohaekenyem, E.C., Jolaiya, T.F., Banda, H., Ikponmwosa-Eweka, O., David, W.N., Ekpenyong, B.B., Segda, A., Diabate, O., Jarso, A.H., Arafat, K., Elrashedy, A., Yadeta, M.M., Richard, Z.B., Omara, I.E., Ndaba, T., Ejiofor, I.I., Magwell, P.F.R., Sedeek, M., Lazaro, L.O., Nyoni, R.M., Oketch, R.A., Odur, W., Hassan, Y.M., Ambala, P., Chandipwisa, C., Bassey, O.P., Ondari, L.N., Jonah, U.G., Amoussou, C.A., Kyomukama, R.C., Yamssi, C., James, S.C., Kone, A.K., Ndiaye, O., Ssenfuka, H., Nyang'au, A.K., Amos, Y., Kawalya, H., Mware, B., Adundo, W.J., Ngannang-Fezeu, V.B., Tandja, A.G., Abdellatif, A.H., Omowumi, O.F., Luutu, N.M., Kouman, A.K.B., Soliman, D.S., Essilfie, N.K., Wabwile, J.J., Sankhe, S., Fofana, F.G., Heiba, W., Yao, N., Djikeng, A., Akurut, E., Walakira, A., Moumbock, A.F.A., Griese, J.J., Tiengwe, C., Ndi, M., Martin, I.S., Fodje, M., Rüffin, N.V., Cramer, K.C., Davis, J. and Nji, E., 2026. BioStruct-Africa’s scalable framework for AlphaFold-enabled research training and sustainable workforce development in Africa. Communications Biology 9:321.