Bridging the Gap: Practical Approaches to Reproducible Bioinformatics Workflows in Low-Resource Settings

Abstract

In bioinformatics, reproducibility often assumes access to high-performance computing, stable internet connectivity, and uninterrupted power supply. Yet for many researchers in African contexts, these assumptions rarely hold. Consequently, this assumption creates a critical barrier: workflows that are technically sound in theory but impractical across low-resource settings. This presentation draws on first-hand experience working on genomic datasets in Nigeria to show how reproducibility can still be achieved despite these constraints through three strategies: containerized workflows, cloud-based platforms, and offline tools. First, containerized workflows with Nextflow and Apptainer or Docker efficiently manage code and dependencies, ensuring portability and reliability even in the face of connectivity challenges. Second, web- and cloud-platforms like Galaxy create collaborative, user-friendly environments that enable researchers to run complex pipelines without requiring powerful local hardware. Third, workflow execution can be augmented by incorporating offline tools like MEGA, ensuring progress even in bandwidth-restricted settings. Comparing these strategies shifts the focus of bioinformatics research reproducibility from resource availability to intentional workflow design and tool choice. Moving beyond assumptions of high-resource research settings, this talk highlights practical techniques for reproducibility which attendees can apply to their unique research environments, proving that reliable science can be conducted anywhere. This perspective directly aligns with the RSAfrica26 theme, “Research Software Without Borders.”