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A RIGHT DECISION
2014 - 2023
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 - 2023
2020
2021
2022
2023
2014 - 2023
- Set up genome sequencing capacity in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal & Liberia, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Seychelles
- Trained over 1,200 local and regional scientists in genomics-based tools for infectious diseases diagnosis and surveillance, many of which are leading national pandemic responses in various African countries.
2014
- Confirmed the first case of Ebola in Nigeria within 48 hours. This singular feat led to early containment, management and control of the disease in Nigeria.
- Pioneered real-time sequencing of Ebola virus during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa
- Pioneered open genomics data access by releasing 99 Ebola whole virus genomes sequenced during the first three weeks of the outbreak in Sierra Leone.
2015
- Developed FDA and WHO-approved (under Emergency Use Authorization) Ebola virus rapid diagnostic tool (RDT) within 4 months of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa
- Generated the world’s first diverse Lassa fever virus whole genome sequence catalogue. We generated a genomic catalogue of over 1,000 LASV sequences from clinical and rodent reservoir samples
- Discovered two new Rhabdoviruses (EKV-1 and EKV-2) in Nigeria from a study aiming at characterizing known and unknown pathogens driving acute febrile illnesses in West Africa
2016
- Accelerated Lassa fever vaccine development
2017
- Supported Nigeria’s mpox outbreak response
2018
- Used real-time microbial metagenomics to uncover a new Yellow fever outbreak in Nigeria. Thus, enabled a rapid and successful containment of the outbreak by Nigeria CDC.
- Helped Nigeria’s response to Lassa Fever surge
2019
- Identified Lassa virus in multiple rodent sources
2020 - 2023
- COVID-19 testing and genomic sequencing: Partnering with Africa CDC and Nigeria CDC for pandemic response.
- Generated over 5,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences and guided public health response in 10 African countries
- Trained more than 120 scientists from over 40 African countries on Next Generation Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, enhancing real-time surveillance across the continent.
2020
- Performed the first SARS-Cov-2 whole genome sequence in Africa within 48 hours of receiving the sample from the Nigeria CDC.
- Developed and piloted SHERLOCK diagnostic – a CRISPR-based 30 mins POC diagnostic for a wide-range of viruses (including Lassa fever virus and SARS-Cov-2) on a paper strip.
- ACEGID was made a WHO and Africa CDC Specialized Regional Reference Sequencing Laboratory for Covid-19 and other emerging pathogens.
2021
- Developed a Covid-19 vaccine candidate, which has successfully passed preclinical trials. Work is ongoing to secure funds for clinical trials of the vaccine on humans.
- Responded to African Swine Fever outbreak in Nigeria
2022
- Pushed for a change in mpox virus names that stigmatizes Africans
2023
- Built capacity for next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of mpox in Central and West African countries of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo Brazaville, Republic of Congo and Nigeria.