The Dean, Faculty of Science, Edo State University, Uzairue, Prof. Charles Adetunji, says genome editing technology is capable of meeting society’s demand for sustainable food production.
Browsing: Genome editing
“It involves exploring knowledge of the functional genomics of species and organisms, by incorporating specific DNA sequences coding for desirable traits into crops of interest. This involves using tools of gene transfer such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, electroporation, particle bombardment, and calcium phosphate-mediated gene transformation,” Akinbo explained.
The rights to certain intellectual property are related to optimized CRISPR-Cas12a as well as to gene-editing-enabled breeding tools. Through CRISPR gene-editing, it is possible to deliver an improved plant that does not include DNA from a different species – more quickly and efficiently than otherwise possible or through conventional breeding methods.
The Supervisor, Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation(STI), African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Prof. Olalekan Akinbo has called for the introduction of Genome Editing as course of study in Nigerian universities.
The constant question is, where will food for the fast-increasing population come from, if, according to African Development Bank (AfDB) statistics, 2019; Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts under all climate scenarios and Sub-Saharan Africa has 95% of rain-fed agriculture globally; and if Agriculture in Africa continues to be characterized by aged farmers (on average 65 years), most of them smallholder farmers with less than 2 hectares of cultivable land, growing low yielding varieties, often times landraces.
The Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha has said that genome technology editing can transform development in Nigeria and across the African continent, if properly harnessed.
Nigeria is hosting five other member states of the African Union (AU) to strategise on the use and adoption of…
Researchers evaluate the use of genomic selection in wheat breeding against deadly fungal disease. A recent publication in the journal…
In the 21st century, agriculture is more technologically sophisticated than ever. And yet, the core challenge for the world’s farmers…