The Basic Molecular Course organised to enable researchers acquire basic molecular techniques needed for successful scientific research was conducted at Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Crop Science Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Muni University. The five-day training course started from 15/ 04/ 2024 and ended on 19/ 04/ 2024. The course covered; Bioinformatics I &II, Lab practical Skills, Analytical chemistry (i.e. Buffers and Stock Solution preparation), DNA Extraction and Quantification, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, Restriction enzyme analysis and Gel Electrophoresis analysis.
The training was organised by Dr. Francis Onyilo, Dr. Alfred Alumai and a team of trainers led by Prof. Marc Heijde from International Plant Biotechnology Outreach Unit Ghent University/ VIB, under the International Molecular Biology Lab Training programme (MOBILAB) project funded by VLIR-UOS.
The objectives of this project are to:
- Build the capacity of Higher Education Institutes in Agro- biotechnology hard skills,
- Support the training capacities of Higher Education Institutes and
- Strengthen the international networking and partnerships for Agro-biotechnology education and research.
Though the training was targeting Agricultural Scientist, other scientists with Biological Science background were included. And total of 18 Academic staffs and Laboratory technicians were trained, mainly from the Departments of Crop Sciences, Health Sciences and Biology. Five (5) participants will be selected to attend Advance Molecular Course, which will take place in January 2025 at Makerere University.
Dr. Francis Onyilo an expert in Molecular Pathology and Plant Biotechnology, the lead person in the establishment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory at Crop Science Department and coordinator for MOBILAB project confirmed that the Laboratory is fully functional, ready for research and training in the areas of Microbiology, Molecular biology, Pathology and Plant Biotechnology.