Babcock University commits to gene-editing, food security
Babcock University Central Laboratory has intensified efforts to boost technical capacity and strengthen collaborative networks in genome science, as gene-editing technologies continue to push the frontiers of modern science. The
Babcock University Central Laboratory has intensified efforts to boost technical capacity and strengthen collaborative networks in genome science, as gene-editing technologies continue to push the frontiers of modern science.
The laboratory hosted a three-day Gene Editing Workshop on its Ilishan-Remo campus showcasing the transformative potential of CRISPR-Cas9, a breakthrough tool in biomedical and biological research that is accelerating advances in targeted medicine, disease modeling, agriculture, and bioenergy.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a precise, efficient, and versatile gene-editing technology adapted from a bacterial defense mechanism.
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Chair of the Central Laboratory, Prof. Cyril Nwagburuka, expressed confidence that the laboratory’s growing research capacity and the quality of the presentations would enrich participants’ learning and practical application.
Dean of the School of Science and Technology (SAT), Prof. Ayandiran Daniel Aina, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to cutting-edge research and academic excellence.
Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Olusola Ogunwenmo, urged participants to fully harness CRISPR’s potential for biomedical advancement.
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Senior Vice President Academics, Prof. Jonathan Nwosu, represented by Dr. Chinedu Anokwuru, Deputy Director for Research, Innovation and International Collaboration (RIIC), advised participants to maximize the workshop’s opportunities for growth and knowledge sharing.
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During the keynote address, Dr. Franziska Bachler of the University of Basel, Switzerland, emphasized the need for a national legal framework to regulate gene-editing practices in Nigeria.
She also highlighted the ethical responsibility of scientific innovation, warning that solutions must not inadvertently create new challenges.
Technical sessions were led by Prof. Joseph Bamidele Minari, molecular biologist at the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, who, with his team, conducted hands-on training and practical demonstrations of CRISPR technology.
The workshop concluded with a strong call to action, urging participants to translate the knowledge gained into impactful research outcomes, marking a significant milestone in advancing genome-editing expertise in the country.
