NMIMR hosts 14th CoBReG Annual Conference
In a bid to drive innovative research for improved health outcomes, the Department of Immunology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), in partnership with the Convention of Biomedical Research Ghana (CoBReG), hosted a 3-day annual conference from August 28th to 30th, 2024.
The conference, which was on the theme: “Advancing Biomedical Innovation in Africa for Health Research and Outcomes” emphasized the importance of adopting innovative approaches in biomedical sciences to enhance research healthcare outcomes across the continent.
The event brought together diverse group of stakeholders including researchers, policymakers, industry experts, and healthcare professionals, providing a platform for sharing research findings, discussing emerging trends, and exploring new ideas in biomedical research.
Prof. Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi, President of CoBReG, highlighted the theme’s relevance, stating, “In a world still grappling with the challenges of global pandemics, the need for innovation in biomedical sciences has never been more urgent. The pandemic has laid bare the vulnerabilities in our health systems, but it has also highlighted the immense potential for innovation, adaptation and collaboration in overcoming these challenges”.
Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Former Director of NMIMR and keynote speaker on the first day, noted that to ensure the realization of advancing biomedical innovation and health outcomes, there is a need to reflect on the past to draw inspiration for moving forward. This, Prof. Koram explained, will set the foundation for the adaptation of the most suitable innovative ways in the pursuit of addressing health challenges.
“I say this because it has the potential of developing various diagnostics, treatments and preventions for infectious and non-communicable diseases, improve health outcomes, reducing healthcare cost. It will also help us to address disparities in health”.
In his keynote address, Dr. Derrick Edem Akpalu, CEO and Co-founder of RevnaBiosciences stressed the critical role of local biomedical innovation in addressing Africa’s economic challenges.
He highlighted the economic challenges confronting Ghana and the wider African continent, emphasizing the potential of homegrown biomedical innovation to mitigate financial strain, stimulate employment, and drive growth, thereby contributing to a more resilient and sustainable economic growth.
Prof. Eizo Takashima, Associate Professor at Ehime University, Division of Malaria Research, emphasized that antigen expression is a crucial element in medical research. However, he noted that current protein expression systems face significant challenges in expressing large numbers of antigens, with difficulties arising when trying to express more than 100 antigens simultaneously.
The conference also included a poster presentation session, where researchers and students showcased breakthroughs in fields such as malaria, infectious diseases, and public health. This session provided a valuable opportunity for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among professionals in the biomedical research community.
The 14th CoBReG Annual Conference at NMIMR underscored the critical role of biomedical research in improving healthcare outcomes in Ghana and beyond.