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As gene-editing technologies continue to redefine the frontiers of modern science, Babcock University’s Basic Central Science Laboratory Department is taking active steps to deepen technical capacity and strengthen collaborative networks in genome science.
It hosted a three-day Gene Editing Workshop designed to highlight the transformative potential of CRISPR-Cas9, a breakthrough tool in biomedical and biological research accelerating advances in targeted medicine, disease modeling, agriculture, and bioenergy.
In his welcome remarks, Chair of the Central Laboratory, Prof. Cyril Nwagburuka, expressed confidence that the lab’s growing research capacity and the quality of presentations would enrich participants’ delivery and learning.
Similarly, Prof. Ayandiji Aina, the Dean of SAT, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to cutting-edge research and academic excellence just as Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Olusola Ogunwenmo, urged participants to harness CRISPR’s potential for biomedical advancement.
“We encourage you to maximize the workshop’s opportunities for growth and knowledge sharing”, said the Senior Vice President Academics and Research, Prof. Jonathan Nwosu, represented by Dr. Chinedu Anokwuru, Deputy Director for Research, Innovation and International Collaboration (RIIC).
While delivering the keynote address, Dr. Franziska Bachler of the University of Basel, Switzerland, emphasized the urgent need for a national legal framework to guide gene-editing practices in Nigeria. She underscored the ethical responsibility of scientific innovation, cautioning that solutions must not inadvertently create new challenges.
The technical sessions were led by Prof. Joseph Bamidele Minari, molecular biologist and Team Leader Genome Editing Research Group, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of Lagos, alongside his team providing hands-on training and practical demonstrations of CRISPR technology.
The workshop concluded with a strong call to action and resolve to translate knowledge into impactful research outcomes, marking a significant step in advancing genome-editing expertise in Nigeria with meaningful collaboration globally.
