Draft genome sequences of four Newcastle disease virus isolates from commercial poultry farms in Ethiopia.

Genome sequencing of four Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates from vaccinated chickens in Central Ethiopia, North Wollo, and Shewa (April 2023-June 2024) revealed highly virulent strains, belonging to newly identified subgroups within genotype VII.

Probiotic potential of 'lactobacilli' isolated from traditionally fermented Ethiopian honey wine (Tej).

Probiotics are live microorganisms with health benefits. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are among the well-known probiotic formulations in various products intended for human or animal consumption. Prior researches on Tej have thus far looked into its physicochemical compositions, microbial load and starter cultured development.

Biotechnological Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Ethiopian Honey Wine, .

Some members of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used as probiotics. Ethiopian honey wine, , may be a useful source of potential probiotic bacteria. However, LABs from this source have not yet been evaluated for their probiotic properties.

Evaluating food safety of traditionally fermented kocho: microbial profiling through classical methods and PacBio SMRT sequencing technology.

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) serves as a staple or co-staple food crop for over 20 million people in Southern, Southwestern, and Central Ethiopia, significantly contributing to regional food security. Despite its importance, food safety concerns surrounding its fermented product, kocho, remain largely unaddressed. This study aimed to evaluate the food safety of traditionally fermented kocho samples collected from districts in the Gamo Zone using a cross-sectional study design.

Efficacy of Stb resistance genes and pathotype diversity in Zymoseptoria tritici from Ethiopia.

Zymoseptoria tritici, the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), leads to significant global yield losses. Resistance breeding is vital for managing STB, but there is limited information on Z. tritici infection behaviour in Ethiopia.

Unlocking the African bioeconomy and strengthening biodiversity conservation through genomics and bioinformatics.

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) is a Pan-African initiative aimed at improving food systems and biodiversity conservation through genomics while ensuring equitable data sharing and benefits. The Open Institute is the knowledge exchange platform of the AfricaBP, which aims to bridge local knowledge gaps in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics and enable infrastructural developments. In 2024, the AfricaBP Open Institute advanced this mission by organizing 31 workshops that attracted more than 3500 registered attendees across 50 African countries, provided training to 401 African researchers in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, sample collections and biobanking, and ethical considerations, across all five African geographical regions involving 40 African and non-African organizations.

Identifying genomic surveillance gaps in Africa for the global public health response to West Nile virus: a systematic review.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a priority pathogen that poses a high risk for public health emergencies of global concern. Although WNV is endemic to Africa, only few (n=63) whole genomic sequences are available from the continent. In this Review, we examined the status of the molecular testing and genomic sequencing of WNV across Africa and mapped its global spatiotemporal spread.

Successful surgical repair outcomes and determinants among obstetric fistula patients: A multi-centre study from Ethiopia.

Background: Obstetric fistula is a life-altering form of complex obstetric injury caused by prolonged obstructed labour. It remains a significant public health concern in developing countries, particularly in regions across the northern half of sub-Saharan Africa and in parts of the Middle East and South Asia. Many women undergo surgery to repair their fistulas; however, there are inconsistent reports in the literature regarding surgical repair outcomes, particularly in Ethiopia.

Colorimetric RT-LAMP for SARS-CoV-2 detection from nasopharyngeal swabs or crude saliva: a multicountry diagnostic accuracy study in Africa.

Background: Reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) with colorimetric readout is a rapid, robust, and cost-effective one-step amplification assay that we previously trialled for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs in four countries. Here, we expanded our assessment of RT-LAMP for SARS-CoV-2 detection to several other African countries and evaluated its operational performance with crude saliva as a pragmatic approach for outbreak surveillance and response in resource-limited settings.

Methods: We conducted a multicountry diagnostic accuracy study of RT-LAMP for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in different types of clinical samples.

KIL transcription factors facilitate embryo growth in maize by promoting endosperm elimination via lytic cell death.

The endosperm is a transient nutritive tissue in plant seeds. During maize (Zea mays) grain development, 2 distinct endosperm cell death processes occur: in 1 process, the endosperm adjacent to the embryo scutellum (EAS) is completely dismantled; in the other, the starchy endosperm (SE) retains nutrient-packed cell corpses after grain filling. Here, we show that SE cell death degrades some organelles including the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, while preserving protein bodies, starch granules, and chromatin.

Draft genome sequence data of responsible for cholera outbreaks in Ethiopia.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by . Low-income countries, including Ethiopia, have been attacked by repeated outbreaks. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of O1 strains isolated from clinical samples in Ethiopia.

Promoter Region and Regulatory Elements of IGF and VIP Genes Associated With Reproductive Traits in Chicken.

This study investigates the promoter region and regulatory elements of chicken insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) genes associated with reproductive traits. Several in silico tools, such as Neural Network Promoter Prediction (NNPP), Multiple Expectation maximizations for Motif Elicitation (MEME-Suite), GC-Profiles, microsatellite prediction (MISA-web), CLC Genomics, Multiple Association Network Integration Algorithm (GeneMANIA), and Gene Ontology for Motifs (GOMO), were used to characterize the promoter regions and regulatory elements of IGF and VIP genes. The in silico analysis showed that the highest promoter prediction scores (1.

Genome-wide association study of seedling-plant resistance to stripe rust in bread wheat ( L.) genotypes.

Fungal diseases, such as stripe rust, are major bottlenecks in Ethiopian wheat production. They can significantly reduce yields and impact regional food security. To enhance Ethiopian wheat production, incorporating genetically resistant cultivars into breeding programs is essential.

Building Pathogen Genomic Sequencing Capacity in Africa: Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation Fellowship.

The World Health Organization African region has the greatest infectious disease burden in the world. However, many African countries have limited capacity to rapidly detect, report, and respond to public health events. The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) in South Africa, and global Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics (CLIMADE) consortium are investing in building the capacity of African scientists in pathogen genomics and bioinformatics.

Analysis of genetic diversity of populations in central and south-eastern Ethiopia.

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus , is a serious threat to global wheat production, and a major bottleneck to wheat production in Ethiopia. Accurate identification and analysis of the pathogen's genetic structure helps to develop robust STB management strategies. This study aimed at molecular identification and genetic structure analysis of 200 isolates of representing six populations in central and south-eastern regions of Ethiopia.

BioStruct-Africa's capacity building workshops as a model for advancing the emerging community of structural biologists in Africa.

Structural biology is crucial in understanding disease mechanisms and in driving drug and vaccine development—applications that are particularly relevant to Africa’s challenges—yet Africa faces significant barriers to advancing structural biology. Here, the authors outline a recent capacity building workshop run by BioStruct-Africa, focused on training of artificial intelligence tools such as AlphaFold, designed to foster a highly skilled community of structural biologists in Africa.

A comprehensive review on nano-fertilizers: preparation, development, utilization, and prospects for sustainable agriculture in Ethiopia.

With their many benefits including better crop yield and nutrient delivery, nano fertilizers are a promising option in the agriculture sector. The production and formulation of nanoparticles with regulated size, shape, and content are required to prepare nano fertilizers. Metals, metal oxides, and polymers are among the materials from which nanoparticles are made using chemical and physical processes.

SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Variants Identified in Selected Regions of Ethiopia Through Whole Genome Sequencing: Insights from the Fifth Wave of COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted SARS-CoV-2 variants with increased transmissibility and immune evasion. In Ethiopia, where cases surged, the understanding of the virus's dynamics was limited. This study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 variants during the fifth wave, crucial for guiding vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and understanding disease severity.

Exploring antimicrobial properties and oral health benefits of salix subserrata willd: unveiling the potential beyond its use as traditional chewing stick.

Background: Salix subserrata is one of the traditional chewing sticks used commonly in Ethiopia. It is also used traditionally against rabies and other infections. There has been no comprehensive research on the biological activity of this plant to demonstrate its role in maintaining oral health.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of bluetongue virus infection in sheep and goats in West Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

Introduction: Bluetongue is a non-contagious arthropod-borne viral disease that affects ruminants. No investigations have yet been conducted to ascertain the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bluetongue in Northwest Ethiopia. It is essential to determine the seroprevalence and correlated risk elements to formulate an effective strategy for preventing and surveillance of the disease.

Gamma-irradiated fowl cholera vaccines formulated with different adjuvants induced antibody response and cytokine expression in chickens.

Fowl cholera is one of the most serious and economically important infectious diseases of poultry caused by . Formalin-inactivated vaccine, administered intramuscularly, is widely used in Ethiopia with a low success rate. Gamma irradiation is an effective approach to inactivate pathogens for vaccine development.

Serological and molecular detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chickens in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease of chickens caused by a Gallid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1). The current study was to establish molecular evidence of Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) in the Amhara region, Ethiopia, and determine its seroprevalence in areas of high chicken population and assess the risk factors associated with the disease.

Methods: Serological study was conducted on 385 serum samples collected from commercial and backyard chickens in the study area, and the presence of antibodies against ILTV was determined by indirect ELISA.

A Molecular Survey of the Occurrence of Coffee Berry Disease Resistant Coffee Cultivars Near the Wild Gene Pool of Arabica Coffee in Its Region of Origin in Southwest Ethiopia.

Cultivation of crops close to their wild relatives may jeopardise the integrity of wild genetic resources. Detecting cultivars among wild plants is necessary to characterise crop-wild gene flow, but can be challenging if cultivars and wild plants are phenotypically highly similar. Genomics tools can be used instead, but the selection of diagnostic loci for cultivar identification can be difficult if the wild and cultivated genepools are closely related.

Genetic Variability of Ethiopian Chickpea ( L.) Landraces for Acid Soil Tolerance.

Chickpea is among the major legume crops grown globally. In Ethiopia, it plays a vital role in the food security and economic stability of smallholder farmers. However, its production is often hampered by abiotic factors, particularly soil acidity, which is a major yet often overlooked challenge.

Genome-wide association study and genomic prediction of root system architecture traits in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) at the seedling stage.

Root system architecture (RSA) plays an important role in plant adaptation to drought stress. However, the genetic basis of RSA in sorghum has not been adequately elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the genetic bases of RSA traits through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and determine genomic prediction (GP) accuracy in sorghum landraces at the seedling stage.