Building Capacity in Genomics

In a significant stride toward enhancing next-generation sequencing (NGS) expertise across the continent, the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) hosted a comprehensive 7-day Illumina Library Preparation and Sequencing workshop this May. Held from the 6th to the 14th of May at KRISP’s cutting-edge facility, the workshop brought together 15 enthusiastic participants from diverse research backgrounds, all eager to deepen their understanding of NGS—from wet lab techniques to data analysis.

The workshop kicked off with a robust introduction to Illumina technology, guiding participants through the core principles of library preparation and sequencing workflows. Attendees observed key steps in action—such as tagging, post-tag clean-up, and amplification—gaining firsthand insight into the foundational techniques that underpin high-quality sequencing.

“It is exciting to see such strong engagement as we continue to build NGS capacity in the region,” remarked Dr. Sureshnee Pillay, one of the lead facilitators.