Some participants at the workshop.
By Anietie Akpan
The African Biogenome Project ( AFRICABP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, West Africa has called on the University of Calabar to establish a Bio-Innovation Centre for Cross River State.
The call is in line with the goals set for 2050 towards driving home the West African Bioecomomy through Biodiversity Genomics.
This call was contained in a 5-Point Communique issued by participants at weekend at the end of a one week workshop in Calabar on Biodiversity Genomics and One’s Health organised by the African Biogenome Project in collaboration with the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar and the University of Port Harcourt
Another resolution contained in the communique include establishment of a bio- entrepreneurship programme to foster partnerships between the University industry promoting research and industrial collaboration
Other decisions reached, targeted at participants include ensuring practical application of the techniques and skills acquired during the training in their various research fields and linking up with the laboratories for future research collaborations.
Others include connection and building of networks with institutes and key players in the African Biogenome Project as well as creation of awareness and galvanising institutes and researchers at the Department and Faculty levels to drive the vision of AFRICABP.
The workshop which was aimed at building participants research capacity in biodiversity genomics and livelihood sustainability in West Africa targeted policy makers, academic institutions as well as Government and non- Governmental organisations with keen interest in biodiversity genomes.
University of Calabar was massively represented at the regional scientific event by staff of the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant & Ecological Studies and Biochemistry.
