Galaxy in Research: Transforming Life in the Tropics Using Genomic Technologies for One Health

How can genomics improve health, food production, and biodiversity in tropical regions? A new review explores how cutting-edge technologies, including Galaxy, are shaping a sustainable future for the tropics.

Research Overview

The tropical regions of the world, home to over 50% of the projected population by 2050 and 80% of global biodiversity, face unique challenges. These areas experience limited healthcare access, reduced agricultural productivity, and understudied biodiversity compared to temperate zones. In a comprehensive review, Andrew Calcino and colleagues discuss how genomic technologies can address critical One Health challenges in human health, biodiversity conservation, and food production.

The review emphasizes the importance of high-throughput molecular data and bioinformatics tools in providing innovative solutions tailored to the needs of tropical populations. It also highlights the necessity of engaging local communities through outreach and education to ensure long-term success in implementing these solutions.

Key Findings

• Human Health: Genomic data can identify and mitigate region-specific diseases, improving health outcomes in tropical populations.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Advanced omics tools enable the study of understudied species and ecosystems, promoting sustainable conservation strategies.
• Food Production: High-throughput molecular technologies enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in tropical environments.
• Community Engagement: Local outreach and education are critical for ensuring the adoption and sustainability of genomic solutions.

Galaxy’s Role

Galaxy is central in making genomic technologies accessible to researchers in tropical regions, where computational infrastructure is often limited. The Galaxy platform provides cloud-based bioinformatics tools that address these barriers, enabling researchers to perform sophisticated genomic analyses without needing local high-performance computing resources.

Galaxy's support groups and nodes in tropical regions across Africa, Australia, and Asia ensure that researchers can access bioinformatics infrastructure and expertise. By covering an ever-expanding range of applications, Galaxy empowers local institutions to participate in cutting-edge research, helping to address the unique challenges of the tropics within the One Health framework.

Significance of Study

This review underscores the transformative potential of genomic technologies in improving the quality of life for tropical populations. By addressing critical health, biodiversity, and food security issues, these tools can create sustainable, equitable solutions that benefit half of the world’s population. The role of platforms like Galaxy in changing access to bioinformatics resources highlights the importance of fostering global collaboration to address these challenges.

Acknowledgment

A big thank you to Andrew Calcino, Ira Cooke, Pete Cowman, Megan Higgie, Cecile Massault, Ulf Schmitz, Maxine Whittaker, and Matt Field for highlighting the importance of accessible genomic tools like Galaxy. Your work inspires global efforts to improve health and sustainability in tropical regions.

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Calcino, A., Cooke, I., Cowman, P. et al. Harnessing genomic technologies for one health solutions in the tropics. Global Health 20, 78 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01083-3