The centre will enhance food security by employing marker-assisted selection and Genome-Wide Association Studies to facilitate the breeding of high-yielding, climate-resilient crop varieties to meet the growing population’s needs
Egerton University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics, Research & Extension) Prof Bernard Aduda (third right) officially hands over the site where the first International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Regional Research Centre (ICGEB RRC) in Africa will be constructed.
Kenya will soon host the first International Centre for
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Regional Research Centre (ICGEB RRC) in
Africa following handing over of the centre construction site at Egerton
University to the contractor.
The multi-million
facility will include research laboratories equipped for genetic engineering
and biotechnology, specialised
spaces for molecular plant pathology, crop breeding and genetic
bio-fortification studies.
Speaking during the handover conducted by the Project
Contract Implementation Team (PCIT), Egerton University’s Deputy Vice
Chancellor in charge of Academics, Research and Extension Prof Bernard Aduda
said they will ensure biosafety level 2 (BSL2) certification of the facility as
it guarantees compliance with global biosafety protocols, enabling researchers
to conduct advanced studies safely and securely.
In 2016 Kenya was selected by the International Centre for
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Board of Governors to host its
first Regional Research Centre (RRC) in Africa, to complement the one in China.
The board which runs 46 state-of-the-art laboratories, in
Trieste, Italy, New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa also approved the
appointment of National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation
(NACOSTI) Director General Professor Walter Oyawa as ICGEB Governor for Kenya.
According to Prof Aduda, who is also the Project Contract
Implementation Team (PCIT) chairperson, the ICGEB Regional Research Centre will
be based at the university’s main campus in Njoro Sub-County.
The don said the research centre
will be the second such outfit in the world after the one in China and will
also specialize in food safety, molecular plant breeding, and entomology,
development of molecular diagnostic tools and their applications and
bioprospecting for bio pesticides and bioactive compounds.
While noting that the ICGEB RRC would transform scientific
research and regional development in East Africa, Prof Aduda elaborated that
the Centre will focus on combating crop diseases through molecular plant
pathology research, investigating pathogen infection mechanisms to develop
disease-resistant crops and reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.
“This
centre will enhance food security by employing marker-assisted selection and
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to facilitate the breeding of
high-yielding, climate-resilient crop varieties to meet the growing
population’s needs,” added the deputy VC.
During the
22nd session of the ICGEB Board of Governors held in Cape Town in 2016, it was
decided to explore possibilities of setting up ICGEB- RRC in Africa.
Subsequently, during the Annual General Meeting in December 2020, ICGEB Board
resolved that Kenya was to host the RRC within its territory.
Subsequently National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation
(NACOSTI) Director General Professor Walter Oyawa was tasked to identify the
institution to host the ICGEB- RRC. Seven universities in Kenya had applied to
host the Research Centre and thereafter three were shortlisted for further
on-site inspection culminating in the selection of Egerton University.
Principal
Investigator of the project establishing the ICGEB- RRC Professor Josiah Omolo
indicated that to address hidden hunger, bio-fortification initiatives will
improve the nutritional value of staple foods such as maize and cassava,
ensuring better public health outcomes.
The
Centre, added Professor Omolo, will also promote food safety through advanced
molecular diagnostics, identifying biological hazards, mycotoxins, and chemical
residues in food to strengthen agricultural value chains.
The
Principal Investigator pointed out that the facility will build regional
capacity by training scientists and collaborating with universities to enhance
expertise in genetic engineering and biotechnology. By improving agricultural
productivity and creating jobs, the ICGEB RRC he noted will attract investments
and foster sustainable development.
“Through
this centre Policymakers will gain evidence-based research to inform
agricultural and biotechnology policies, ensuring responsible and ethical
practices,” Professor Omolo added.
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Egerton University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics, Research & Extension) Prof Bernard Aduda (third right) officially hands over the site where the first International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Regional Research Centre (ICGEB RRC) in Africa will be constructed.
