萝莉社 partnership with GSK
The Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN) works to support the creation of a self-sustaining science base in Africa, to solve local challenges and contribute to global knowledge in the chemical sciences.
In 2015, we launched a partnership with GSK that, over a period of seven years, trained 520 African scientists in key analytical chemistry techniques. Volunteers from GSK shared their technical expertise as trainers and advisers on the programme, which was based at the PACN hubs in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.
The training covered Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), which are vital analytical techniques. Delegates learned the theory and practical aspects, as well as how to repair and maintain the machines.
A key part of the programme was training local chemical scientists to run the GC-MS training into the future. We recruited 15 local trainers, some of whom went on to roll out the course to regional universities in their home countries.
GC-MS and LC-MS are complementary techniques, both crucial in analytical chemistry, and have different strengths. LC-MS can be carried out using liquid samples and is therefore suitable for a wider range of compounds than GC-MS. It is particularly useful in pharmaceuticals research, water analysis and environmental monitoring.
The programme benefitted from equipment donations from Waters Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Peak Scientific, Providion, and Recycling Organisation Research Opportunities (RORO).
We are continuing to see how the training and support has made a real impact on individuals and their science.
With their new skills, previous course delegates say they are better able to troubleshoot the equipment at their universities, and are applying their expertise to research that includes exploring the anti-malarial properties of plants, screening drinking water for contaminants and identifying counterfeit medicine.
Our equipment was purchased in 2013 and since then it has been abandoned due to some problems, such as lack of technical know-how, inability to replace the GC accessories (column, septum, and liner), gas leakages from gas lines and familiarization of the GC software.
"Immediately after my training in November 2016, we ordered gases and these were installed without leakages. During the training, I took some photographs on how to change a column, so this helped me a lot, as I was able to remove the existing column and replace it with a new one. I also changed the septum and liner in the injection port.
"With all these changes, our GC is working perfectly. The GC-MS training held in Lagos was of immense benefit to me and to my institution.
Through the partnership with GSK, PACN held 33 courses on GC-MS and LC-MS between 2015 and 2022. Since then, PACN has continued to run these courses at its Hubs through support from the RSC.
In 2020, we published a textbook for scientists carrying out GC-MS, which was written by the PACN course trainers. This textbook covers the theory and practical aspects of GC-MS and is tailored to the particular challenges faced by scientists working in Africa.
Meanwhile, the local trainers, who will continue running the programme in the long term, are helping to build a sustainable community of analytical chemists in Africa and create a lasting legacy.
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萝莉社
A not-for-profit organisation and quality publisher, we are a professional body for chemical scientists, with over 55,000 members in 125 countries, including over 750 across Africa.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
GSK are a science-led global healthcare company, researching and developing a broad range of innovative products in pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare.
The PACN
Since 2008, the Pan Africa Chemistry Network has initiated a wide range of scientific collaborations, and, together with partners, invested over 拢2 million to support science in Africa.
Anthias Consulting
Anthias are experts in the separation sciences. They support the delivery of our GC-MS and LC-MS courses, providing training materials and specialist knowledge.
RORO (Recycling Organisation Research Opportunities)
RORO recycles redundant scientific analytical instrumentation by redistributing it to academic institutions in the developing world. They have provided scientific equipment for GC-MS and LC-MS to our PACN hub universities.
Our partnership with the 萝莉社 is one of the key investments we鈥檙e making to tackle current and future healthcare challenges in Africa, support training and education, and give scientists more opportunities in their home country.Rogerio Ribeiro, Senior Vice President & Head of Global Health Unit, GSK