From pandemic prevention to smart crops, how cutting-edge science is targeting the most pressing challenges in global health
Imagine a world where the vast majority of health research dollars are spent on conditions that affect the wealthiest 20% of humanity, while diseases that disproportionately impact the poorest 80% receive barely a fraction of that investment. This isn't hypothetical - it's the reality of what experts call "the 10/90 gap"2 .
Dedicated to problems affecting 90% of world's population
Local scientists targeting locally relevant challenges
For decades, only about 10% of global health research funding has been dedicated to solving the health problems that affect 90% of the world's population, primarily those living in developing countries7 .
The good news? This paradigm is finally shifting. Scientists across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are now championing a new approach to biochemical research - one that targets locally relevant challenges with globally significant solutions. From preventing the next pandemic to developing climate-resistant crops, researchers in developing nations are building bioeconomies that prioritize both innovation and equity1 .
"Biosecurity and innovation are not in opposition. They're mutually reinforcing"
The limitations of imported solutions became starkly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many developing countries struggled to access vaccines and treatments developed elsewhere. This experience underscored the urgent need for local research capacity that can respond nimbly to regional health crises1 .
The traditional model of international research often failed to address this need. As described in scholarly analyses, research sponsored by wealthy countries and conducted in relatively poor countries has often been beset by ethical issues, including double standards of care and the potential exploitation of foreign research participants. The new approach flips this script by placing local scientists in leadership roles and agenda-setting positions1 .
Placing local scientists in agenda-setting positions transforms research priorities
Biochemical research in developing countries is increasingly embracing "hypothesis-free" science - an approach that uses massive datasets and high-throughput technologies to identify patterns and connections without preconceived notions7 .
By relying on extremely accurate measurements and large sample sizes
Makes unexpected discoveries possible by not depending on previous knowledge
Finds genetic factors that may protect against locally prevalent diseases
This approach requires building human biobanks - repositories of human DNA material and plasma samples collected from large numbers of individuals, stored along with information on their lifestyle, diet, and health metrics7 . While nearly all major biobanks have historically focused on health problems relevant to wealthy countries, this is beginning to change as developing nations establish their own biobanking initiatives7 .
Scientists are working to prevent both deliberate and accidental biological emergencies while enabling African bioeconomies to flourish safely1 .
With climate change threatening food security, research focuses on developing drought-resistant crops and biofortified staples6 .
Scientists in developing nations are targeting diseases that disproportionately affect their populations but receive little global research investment.
Rather than remaining dependent on imports, countries are investing in ability to produce their own medical countermeasures6 .
To understand the practical challenges of implementing biosecurity measures in developing countries, let's examine Edyth Parker's DNA Synthesis Screening Project in detail. Her approach combines multiple research methods:
Conducting over 40 interviews with scientists, company leaders, and regulators across 15 African countries1
Systematically compiling data on DNA synthesis providers and their screening practices1
Reviewing national regulations governing DNA synthesis and transfer1
Developing workshops to integrate safety measures into bioeconomic development plans1
Parker's research revealed several critical findings that challenge conventional wisdom:
| Aspect | High-Income Countries | Low-Middle-Income Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of global health research expenditure | ~90% | ~10% |
| Percentage of global population | ~15% | ~85% |
| Primary disease focus | Non-communicable diseases of aging | Communicable diseases, maternal/child health |
| Research capacity | Well-established infrastructure | Often limited local capacity |
| Biobank development | Numerous large-scale biobanks | Few developing biobanks |
Source: Adapted from "Developing biobanks in developing countries" and "Biomedical research in developing countries"2 7
Key Priorities: Next-generation vaccines, low-cost diagnostics, drought-resistant crops
Grant Range: $500,000 - $5 million
Key Priorities: Personalized medicine, green biotechnology, AI for precision diagnostics
Grant Range: €1 - €10 million
Key Priorities: Antimicrobial resistance, mental health, climate change and health
Grant Range: £500,000 - £5 million
Key Priorities: Cancer research, neuroscience, pandemic preparedness
Grant Range: $100,000 - $10 million
Source: Adapted from "Top 5 Global Organizations Funding Biotech Research in 2025"6
| Tool/Technology | Function | Application in Developing Context |
|---|---|---|
| DNA synthesizers | Produce custom DNA sequences | Foundational for biotechnology; limited local capacity in developing countries |
| DNA synthesis screening software | Checks DNA orders against pathogen databases | Crucial for biosecurity; unevenly implemented globally |
| Benchtop DNA sequencers | Determine genetic sequences | Enabling pathogen genomics and personalized medicine |
| CRISPR-Cas9 systems | Precise gene editing | Developing disease-resistant crops and novel therapies |
| Biobanking infrastructure | Stores biological samples for research | Essential for hypothesis-free research approaches |
The landscape of biochemical research in developing countries is undergoing a quiet revolution. What was once characterized by dependency and limited local capacity is gradually transforming into a vibrant ecosystem of homegrown innovation targeting locally relevant challenges.
"Globally, funding and governance systems need to move past tokenism and ensure that African scientists are not just implementers, but agenda-setters with real decision-making power"
This includes sustained investment in Africa-led research, deeper investments in long-term infrastructure, data sovereignty, and South-South collaborations that build a durable ecosystem from within the continent1 .
The future of biochemical research in developing countries isn't about importing Western models but about building context-appropriate, forward-looking frameworks grounded in local realities. As one researcher put it, the goal is "co-developing context-specific policies that are practical, proportional and aligned with real-world innovation pathways"1 .
The exciting promise of this new approach is that it benefits not just developing countries but the entire world. Pandemic pathogens don't require visas. Crop diseases that emerge in one region can quickly spread across continents. By building biochemical research capacity where some of the world's most pressing health and environmental challenges are most acute, we're all investing in a safer, healthier future.