National University Biomedical Research Institute (NUBRI)

Director’s Welcome

Welcome to the National University Biomedical Research Institute (NUBRI). At NUBRI, we are driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and real‑world impact. Since our founding, we have evolved into a leading hub for biomedical research, diagnostics, and training. Our multidisciplinary scientific units, ranging from immunology to bioinformatics and genomics, are dedicated to addressing critical health challenges, including cancer, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. We proudly collaborate with global research leaders, including the African BioGenome Project, and are equally committed to empowering the next generation of scientists through our educational and capacity‑building programs. I invite you to explore our work, engage with our programs, and join us in building a healthier and scientifically empowered future.

 

Dr. Sofia Bashir Mohamed Ali
Director & Co‑Founder, NUBRI

About Us

Founded in 2016 as the National University Research Centre, NUBRI was designated a Center of Excellence in Pathogen Genomics in 2017 before becoming the National University Biomedical Research Institute in 2018. Today, NUBRI is a pioneering center dedicated to advancing biomedical research, diagnostics, education, and training in Sudan and beyond. Leveraging an interdisciplinary approach, cutting‑edge technologies, and strategic international collaborations, NUBRI drives health innovation at national and regional levels. As Sudan’s national node of the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP), the Institute actively contributes to genomics, biodiversity research, and public health initiatives across Africa.

Our Vision

To become a leading biomedical research institute in Africa, pioneering innovations in genomics, bioinformatics, drug discovery, and diagnostics to improve public health and scientific capacity across Sudan and the continent.

Our Mission

  • Advance translational biomedical research through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting‑edge technologies.
  • Provide high‑quality training and capacity building in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and genomics.
  • Serve as a national hub for public health research, diagnostics, and innovation.
  • Foster international collaborations to address pressing healthcare challenges and sustainable development.

Our Objectives

NUBRI is Committed To:

  • Driving innovative biomedical research in genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to tackle critical public‑health challenges in Sudan and across Africa.
  • Strengthening scientific capacity through specialised training, workshops, and academic programs in bioinformatics, molecular diagnostics, and computational drug discovery.
  • Developing and sustaining advanced laboratory and computational infrastructure to support translational research, diagnostics, and novel biomedical solutions.
  • Exploring and conserving regional biodiversity through genomic analysis of plants, animals, and microbes to support environmental sustainability and bio‑resource innovation.
  • Promoting national and international collaboration to facilitate knowledge exchange, amplify research impact, and advance health innovation.

Our Programme

NUBRI’s work is organised around five specialised scientific units supported by cross‑cutting academic offerings:

  • Immunology Unit: host–pathogen interactions, cytokine profiling, and reverse vaccinology.
  • Molecular Biology Unit: advanced PCR/qPCR diagnostics, viral and bacterial genotyping, and protocol development.
  • Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit: NGS pipelines, genome annotation, transcriptomics, and statistical modelling.
  • Computational Drug Design & Structural Biology Unit: molecular docking, dynamics simulation, and mutation analysis.
  • Genomics Unit (launching soon): real‑time whole‑genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
  • NUBRI currently offers a flagship graduate degree and has several new programmes in the pipeline:
  • Master of  Bioinformatics
  • Research Attachment Programme (RAP+): rolling 3‑ to 6‑month fellowships providing access to NUBRI sequencers and HPC resources

Training Activities

Since 2017, NUBRI has delivered more than 28 specialised workshops and trained over 830 participants in bioinformatics, genomics, molecular biology, and biostatistics. Flagship initiatives include the Research Attachment Program (RAP) and Galaxy NUBRI, a locally hosted Galaxy platform that democratises access to NGS workflows and reproducible analysis.

Collaboration

NUBRI maintains strategic partnerships with leading institutions, including the African BioGenome Project, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), H3ABioNet, and Robert Gordon University. These collaborations underpin joint research projects, grant‑funded programs, and continent‑wide training networks.

Publications

NUBRI researchers have produced more than 54 peer‑reviewed articles spanning pathogen genomics, cancer biomarker discovery, and antimicrobial resistance. Highlights include eight genome announcements, submitted to NCBI GenBank, two manuscripts on HDV/HBV molecular epidemiology, and recent in‑silico vaccine design studies published in the Journal of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology and PLOS ONE.

Staff

NUBRI’s interdisciplinary team combines academic leadership with emerging talent. Key personnel include:

  • Sofia Bashir Mohamed Ali – Director & Co‑Founder.
  • Osama Mohamed Khair Ali – Assistant Professor, Molecular Biology Unit.
  • Mohamed Salih Elnour Mohamed – Assistant Professor, Stem Cells Unit.
  • Samar Abdelrazeg Salih – Assistant Professor, Stem Cells Unit.
  • Sumaya Kambal – Researcher, Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit.
  • Sabah Ibrahim – Researcher, Computational Drug Design & Structural Biology Unit.
  • Tassneem Ebniof – Researcher, Immunology Unit.
  • Hosham Abdalrahman Saied Osman – Researcher, Molecular Biology Unit.
  • Rayan Abubaker Musa Siddig – Researcher, Molecular Biology Unit.
  • Moaaz Mohammed Saadaldin Yousif – Research Assistant, Immunology Unit.
  • Tarig Mutasim Elhaj Ahmed – Research Assistant, Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit.

Contact Us

Email: info@nubri.nu.edu.sd
Location: National University Campus, Khartoum, Sudan
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