The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, has said that running good science requires great laboratories.
She stated this while inaugurating the University of Lagos Molecular Biology and Next Generation Sequencer Platform at the 1st floor, D. K. Olukoya Central Research & Reference Laboratories on Monday, July 8, 2024.
Professor Ogunsola noted that the molecular lab would enable UNILAG to make significant strides in molecular-level research, akin to practices in other regions. Her words, ‘…in the world today, and the situation of antimicrobial resistance, sequencing is critical and we know that for us, we need to find those solutions and be part of the world. For me, I’m looking forward to the things that we need to do…”
She congratulated the Director of the D. K. Odukoya Central Research & Reference Laboratories, Prof. Wellington Oyibo and his team for moving the University a step forward, as UNILAG is likely the sole public university in the South-West region with this capacity.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Prof. Bola Oboh, who was also part of the short ceremony, described the event as a platform to showcase the recent development in the UNILAG Molecular Biology space. She thanked the donor – Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and suppliers – Illumina, ISN Medical and Inqaba Biotec for the equipment, adding that the donation would change the dynamics of research in the areas of genome editing and DNA extraction at the University of Lagos.
While giving a brief overview of the Molecular Biology Laboratory and Next Generation Sequencer Platform, the Director of the D. K. Odukoya Central Research & Reference Laboratories, Prof. Wellington Oyibo disclosed that the support provided by TETFund and other funding organisations have greatly improved the laboratories.
According to him, “with the inauguration of the platform, undergraduates, post graduate students, faculty can now carry out genomic research and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) easily rather than going outside the University”. He revealed that the UNILAG Next Gen. Sequencer (MiSeq) has been connected to the global Illumina Sequencer. MiSeq is a benchtop sequencing system capable of performing a broad range of sequencing applications.
The inauguration ceremony also featured the presentation of the report on the installation of the MiSeQ Sequencer to the Vice-Chancellor by Prof. Oyibo; brief remarks by the Head, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, UNILAG, Prof. L. A. Ogunkanmi and an Inqaba Biotec representative, Fatima Onawoga; and a presentation of donated consumables for DNA extraction and PCR amplification to the University by Inqaba Biotech and Bristol Scientific.
At the end of the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor and delegates took a tour of the Microbiology Research & Service Laboratory as well as the Centre for Genomics and Molecular Diagnostic Research and Reference Laboratories.
The Molecular Biology Laboratory and Next Generation Sequencer Platform located at the D. K. Olukoya Central Research & Reference Laboratories will drive cutting edge research and human capacity development in multi- domain spaces in health, agriculture, environment etc. within and outside the University.
As part of the inauguration, a free essential DNA extraction workshop for undergraduate and postgraduate students and scientists in the University and a one-week open lab group visit to explore the Molecular Laboratory and Next Generation Sequencer Platform will be held from July 8 to 10, 2024 and July 11 to 18, 2024, respectively.
Reporter: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographer: Ayo Oloyede
