Ten simple rules to build genomics capacity for routine laboratory practice in the Global South
Developing sustainable genomics capacity in the Global South requires more than technology transfer; it depends on human-centered approaches based on the workflows and existing expertise of laboratory personnel, institutional collaboration, and long-term integration into health systems. Drawing on lessons learned from regional capacity-building initiatives, this article proposes ten simple rules for implementing and sustaining genomics capacity within public health and clinical laboratory settings. These rules emphasize local context, strategic planning, continuous learning, and equitable collaboration. Together, they provide a roadmap for laboratories aiming to transform genomic technologies from research tools for diagnosis, surveillance and decision-making, into routine instruments for public health in low- and middle-income countries.
Authors
- Emilyn Costa Conceição (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7445-6620)
- Maria Cristina S. Lourenço (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0382-9108)
- Abhinav Sharma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6402-6993)
- Ítalo José Mesquita Cavalcante
- Philip Noël Suffys (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8527-9300)
- Theolis Barbosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1928-0404)
- Davi Josué Marcon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1014-422X)
- Layana Rufino Ribeiro
- Cristiane Cunha Frota (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0018-7736)
- Hendor Neves Ribeiro de Jesus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2209-6114)
- Valnete das Graças Dantas Andrade
- Alex Brito Souza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1244-4026)
- Nabila A. Ismail (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2287-1857)
- Tulio Oliveira
- Tatyana Costa Amorim Ramos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5718-3686)
- Danna Karen Corrêa dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0221-2755)
- Lilian Eduarda de Oliveira Freitas
- Robin Mark Warren
- Marco Aurélio Almeida de Oliveira
- Arabela Leal e Silva de Melo
- Adriana Ayden Ferreira
- Karla Valéria Batista Lima
Institutions
- Universidade do Estado do Pará (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Ceará (BR)
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará (BR)
- Instituto Evandro Chagas (BR)
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS Computational Biology
- Published
- 2026-10-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1014863
- Primary Topic
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Universiteit Stellenbosch