Mboalab

DIY open bioeconomy research unit for community education and social innovation

MboaLab is an open and collaborative space in the village of Mefou-Assi, Yaoundé. In Ewondo, “Mboa” means “unique”; in Duala, “village” — MboaLab is a village dedicated to creation, a laboratory for social innovation, community education, collaboration, and mediation at the service of the community.

Established in 2018 with support from the Open Bioeconomy Lab and the Shuttleworth Foundation, MboaLab’s aim is to catalyse sustainable local development and improve living conditions through open science. Its work focuses on making biotechnology research and tools more accessible through local production of reagents, scientific research targeting local health issues, internships, and training sessions equipping young local scientists with molecular biology and DIY-biology skills. Notable projects include a locally-manufacturable diagnostic for distinguishing typhoid from paratyphoid fever, developed with Buea University at a reagent cost of under $1 per reaction.

*Text adapted from the Open Bioeconomy Lab’s description of their Cameroon node — MboaLab does not currently have an independent working website; its old .africa domain has since expired and is now held by an unrelated site.