Lagos — The University of Lagos in its effort to embrace the current trend in Genetic studies and enlighten students and staff on grant writing for further studies, recently organised a scientific workshop titled, Molecular and statistical genetics: grant writing and funding of proposal.

The 5-day training workshop sponsored by the Department of Cell Biology & Genetics, University of Lagos, and Cornell University, Ithaca, USA, witnessed scientific the presence of researchers from different institutions in the country and beyond. They include: the host University, University of Lagos; University of Ibadan, University of Benin, Benin City; University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University of Technology, Yola and Lagos State University Ojo,: National Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Victoria Island Lagos, and Maven Consulting Ltd, Ibadan, NAGRAB, among others.

According to Prof. Gabriel O. Williams of the Department of Cell Biology & Genetics, University of Lagos, 'this training programme is designed to introduce students and researchers to modern methods in molecular and statistical genetics. It is made to give staff and students capacity manpower with which to pursue their research in various areas of genetics. In modern genetics, molecular work is critical.

The programme is a specialised training designed to help students acquire more knowledge in modern molecular techniques," says the distinguished professor.

Some of the areas covered at the event include: molecular genetics, genomics, statistical genetics, and bioinformatics. Others include practical work on DNA extraction, and optimization of PCR primers, PCR primer design etc.

Similarly, a capacity building on grant-writing and studying abroad opportunities were also introduced at the event to provide information about research grants in the natural, applied and social sciences and participants on sources of funding, and how to write a winning proposal.

, Dr. Khalid Adekoya of the Dept of Cell Biology & Genetics, University of Lagos ,pointed out that "the aim of organising this training workshop is to introduce researchers and students to modern methods in molecular and statistical genetics. It is also organised to improve the grant writing skill of students so that they can source for funds and further their studies abroad,' he said.

In another highlight about the workshop, Dr. Bola Oboh, Associate Prof, Dept of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, declared that the workshop is unique because it will improve technology of students in capacity building and in molecular and statistical genetics. Unilag,he said, is in the forefront of research that is why the school is collaborating with Cornell University USA to organise the workshop. The key resource person from Cornell University is Dr. Ikhid Immorin. Prof Oboh expressed gratitude to Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, for making this training programme a success.

"With this development, University of Lagos will introduce Genetics Engineering soon says Prof. Omidifi, Head, Cell Biology and Genetics University of Lagos. The first day of the workshop witnessed how to write research Grant. This was taught by Dr. Ikhide Imumorin, Assistant Professor of Animal Molecular and Quantitative Genetics, Cornell University Ithaca, USA. He gave example how grant writing could be written in different fields which include natural sciences, physical sciences, Biological Sciences etc. Imumorin research has been funded by grants to the tune of $900,000 (over N135million) from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the US dept of Agriculture and private foundations.

While the 2nd to the 5th day centered on molecular genetics, genomics, statistical genetics, Bioinformatics, practicals on DNA Extraction, Optimization of PCR Primers, PCR Primers design among others. Some resource personnels involved in the lectures were Dr. Idowu Taiwo and Dr. Khalid Adekoya both of the Dept of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Dr. Olatunji Abanikanni, Senior Lecturer in Dept of Zoology, Lagos State University Ojo, Lagos; where he teaches Biostatistics and quantitative genetics. Others include Mr. Adeniyi Adekunle, a consultant of Bioinformatics Maven Consulting Ltd Ibadan etc.

Grant writing and study abroad opportunities taught by Dr. Ikhide Imumorin featured an overview of grants, funding agencies, with emphasis on those available researchers in developing countries.

Molecular Genetics taught by Ikhide Imumorin and Idowu Taiwo featured overview of the basics of molecular genetics. Topic such as the nature and properties of genetic material, gene expression and regulation of gene expression, and molecular variation and application were covered including hand practical on PCR primer designing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Genomics was singly taught by Dr. Imumorin. His lecture focused on the structure of eukaryotic genomes and the physical and genetic mapping off genomes. Quantitative trait Loci mapping and analysis were also covered with hand practical session on gel electrophoresis, purification of bands from gel and DNA sequencing.

Statistical Genetics which was lectured by Dr. Immuniorin and Dr. Adekoya, featured overview of the topic, other sub topics in this section include probability distributions and density functions Linear models, maximum like hood estimation of genetic parameters, heritability analysis and linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis. A practical session using softwares was held to carry out statistical analyses, such as maximum likelihood estimation, parsimony analysis, multiple liner regression, analysis off covariance etc.

The fifth lecture in the series being Bioinformatics, was co-instructed by Dr. Imumorin and Mr. Adekunle. An overview of the subject was taught with that of genome databases, introduction to Entrez, basic BLAST and basic genome data mining, including in-silico gene identification and characterization laboratory session covering entering of data into genome database, finding sequences and primers from databases, use of software's for genome alignment to establish relationship and relatedness were also covered.