Explore 1KSA Stories
Exploring the mysteries of Bryde’s Whales
Join PhD student Dominique Paynee and Prof. Paulette Bloomer from the University of Pretoria as they explore the genetic secrets of South Africa’s Bryde's whale. Discover how cutting-edge genomic techniques are being used to study population dynamics, understand local and global connectivity, and assess the conservation needs of these marine giants. Watch as DIPLOMICS supports groundbreaking research to safeguard our marine biodiversity for future generations.
1KSA Annual Symposium
Watch the first video in a 10-part YouTube playlist capturing the first annual 1KSA Symposium at Intaka Island.
Highlights include reflections from PhD contributors, partner labs, and the first-ever 1KSA Genome Assembly Workshop, celebrating South Africa’s growing leadership in biodiversity science.
Discovering the Genetic Secrets of the Cape Grysbok
Join Prof. Paulette Bloomer from the University of Pretoria, Dr Deon de Jager from the University of Copenhagen, and Dr Anri Van Wyk from the University of Pretoria as they delve into the fascinating world of the Cape Grysbok - Raphicerus melanotis.
Their work in conservation genetics and genomics highlights the critical importance of understanding and preserving South Africa’s unique biodiversity.
Unveiling the Secrets of Oxalis
Join Dr Kenneth Oberlander and his team at the University of Pretoria as they delve into the evolutionary biology of Oxalis, a plant genus rich in diversity and peculiarities.
Discover the dual nature of Oxalis species—from invasive weeds to endangered natives—and how the 1KSA initiative is pivotal in studying these contrasts through genomics.
Unravelling the Secrets of the Red Roman
Meet Dr Romina Henriques and PhD candidate Mannda Ndou from the University of Pretoria, along with their team, as they delve deep into the genetics of the Red Roman - Chrysoblephus laticeps, a vital species for South Africa’s marine biodiversity.
This video explores how climate change is impacting marine life and how advanced genomic studies can help us protect these essential creatures.
Spekboom Diaries
DIPLOMICS spoke with Shannon Derman, one of the lead researchers from CenGen, about their most recent and exciting research project - sequencing the Spekboom Genome.
Sequencing Nguni sheep
The DNA Sequencing Unit at Stellenbosch University's CAF completed their first MinION run, assisting PhD student, Nxumalo Nkosinathi, with his research on the Nguni Sheep breed. The genome sequence generated is the first of its kind for this indigenous South African sheep breed and will help in comparative analysis against other breeds from around the world.
IMBM Sea Sponge Sample Collection
As part of an on going project looking into the unique bioactive compounds of marine inverterbrates, DIPLOMICS accompanied the IMBM team to Kalk Bay in Cape Town, where they spent the morning collecting samples. The huge chemical diversity in the bacteria found here holds many anti-cancer, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
ONT Train the Trainer Workshop
One of the highlights of last month was our "Train the Trainer" workshop, hosted in collaboration with Oxford Nanopore Technologies. This training was provided to some of our key partner lab and power NGS users.
The objective of the training is to enable our key users to become trainers themselves and to take this capacity building ability back to their own labs and institutions. With the help of partners like ONT, DIPLOMICS is gearing up to be more involved in the genome sequencing space here in South Africa. Watch this space for similar opportunities to follow.
Plant Genome Symposium 2023
In February 2023, FABI and the University of Pretoria hosted this inspiring symposium, bringing together experts around South Africa and abroad, to discuss the rich biodiversity that our country has to offer.
Much of this resource remians untapped and provides an exciting opportunity for future collaboration and research. DIPLOMICS was proud to help sponsor this event and help enable this productive gathering of passionate scientists.
1KSA Project Launch
The vision behind 1KSA, or "1000 Genomes South Africa," is an ambitious initiative to sequence the genomes of 1,000 unique animals, plants, and fungi found within the country's borders.
By sequencing 1000 genomes, 1KSA is building an invaluable resource for research, conservation, and cultural understanding of indigenous species. This isn't just about collecting data; it's about empowering local researchers and students. Through 1KSA, they gain access to cutting-edge facilities and training opportunities, fostering a new generation of scientific leaders in South Africa.