Department of Biological Sciences Hold 2nd Hands-on Training on Basic PCR Technique

The second edition of hands -on Molecular Biology Technique training for the penultimate class of the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) took place on the 25th and 26th January 2022. The train ing on basic Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique which took place at the CBAS Big Lecture Hall was also organised last year (March 2021) for the final year students. It was facilitated by Professor Stella Smith, an adjunct lecturer in the Depart ment of Biological Sciences. The programme commenced with an opening cere mony at CBAS Big lecture theatre. It was attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, Dr. Edwin A. Ofudje (Ag Dean CBAS), Dr. O.T. Kayode (Ag HOD Biological Sciences), Prof. Gabriel Olukayode Ajayi, Prof. Stella Smith and her team (Dr. Adebesin, Dr. Ajayi and Mr Uti), Mr. Olabode Omotosho (the regional Sales manager -South West/North East of Inqaba Biotech West Africa) including other lecturers and final year students of the Depart ment.

The Ag. Dean of CBAS, Dr Ofudje welcomed attendees in his welcome address and highlighted the importance of PCR technique in the history of health and diseases, espe cially as its knowledge is the bedrock that contribut ed immensely to sensitive diagnostics of COVID-19 disease and vaccine development. He charged students and staff to maximize the opportunity for qualitative re search. Prof. Stella Smith, in her address, narrat ed how Dr. D. K. Olukoya (Chancellor of the MTU) had been a mentor to her while he was still in active service, organising trainings on molecular biology technique. She also expressed Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, VC, MTU  and Prof. Stella Smith at the Opening Ceremony her gratitude to the Chancellor and Inqaba Bio tech Nigeria for sponsoring the training. In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayolabi appreciated the facilitators, lecturers and students. He encouraged students to ensure they acquire all the available practical skills, while in MTU and make sure the University passes through them, not just them passing through the University. He reaffirmed his sup port for any practical-based programme in the institution and charged the students and staff to think of the use of robotics in biological scienc es. Mr. Olabode Omotoso, gave a stimulating presentation titled “Developing Genomic Ca pacity in Africa. He shared his experience on how he carried out and published his first molec ular biology-based research”. He highlighted the prospects of acquiring molecular biology skills. He also highlighted the services they offer in their company.

The Ag. HOD of Biological Sci ences, Dr. O. T. Kayode, also expressed her de light in the programme and thanked manage ment, staff and facilitators for their support. The workshop was an intensive one which spanned two whole days. The various sessions covered were general laboratory safety guidelines, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, Agarosegel electrophoresis of genomic DNA. The laboratory experiments took place at the Central Research Laboratory of the College with over 60 final year students (Biochemistry, Biology, Bio technology and Microbiology students) in attend ance. Interaction with the students showed that the workshop was received with enthusiasm and utmost excitement by the students. They also expressed their gratitude to the Chancellor, the school management, facilitators as well as the Department of Biological Sciences.