African Cell Initiative™
Primary cellular models are becoming increasingly essential tools in preclinical drug discovery and development. However, those currently used in academic and pharmaceutical research pipelines fail to represent global genetic diversity, resulting in suboptimal treatment outcomes for a vast number of disparate population groups.
Contact information:
Highlights
A sliver of brown skin for a world of new medicines
The CSIR has established iPSCs from Black African donors, creating a genetically diverse cellular resource – the African Cell Initiative™. These cells can become any cell type in the body, enabling disease research, drug screening, and access to Africa’s genomics for academic and commercial collaborations locally and internationally. Watch this video or read more about the African Cell Initiative™.
Unlocking the potential of genome engineering in Africa
Watch this TEDx Talk to see how stem cell and genome engineering technologies are being used at the CSIR to create synthetic liver-like cells that reflect the unique genetic profiles of Africans. These innovative approaches are advancing precision medicine by enabling the development of safer and more effective treatments.
Capabilities
Our facilities
