TRAINING WORKSHOP

CONCEPT NOTE
Title Introduction to Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics

Background Biosciences have greatly enhanced the ability to quickly diagnose diseases, determine
the genetic diversity of pest and pathogen populations, understand host-pathogen
interactions, speed the development of new varieties of crops, combine genes from a
wide array of organisms in transgenic technologies and develop strategies for their
management. In spite of this, the benefits of the numerous bioscience research
products available are yet to be fully felt in Africa. Opportunities linking modern
biosciences to agricultural improvement to solve some of Africa’s major agricultural
problems remain largely untapped.

A number of NARS in the east and central Africa region have basic equipment for
conducting some molecular biology techniques, and have access to the internet for
bioinformatics analysis, but the skills to apply the technologies to agricultural research
remain largely. This training workshop seeks to address the skills gap in basic
molecular biology and bioinformatics, to increase the capacity of African scientists and
institutions to conduct biosciences research and to develop and deliver new
technologies for agriculture.

The main target group is researchers at NARS in east and central Africa who are
actively engaged in biosciences research, and who need the skills to address
technology gaps in their own research programs.

Objective(s) To give agricultural biosciences researchers from east and central Africa the working
knowledge of basic molecular biology and bioinformatics that can be applied to
address technology gaps in their own agricultural research programmes, and that can
be disseminated to other researchers at their home institutes.

Scope of the training Selected applicants will attend an intensive 10-day training workshop consisting of
workshop lectures and hands on training in DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
DNA sequencing, bioinformatics and other aspects. Participants will also experience
the research discovery process whereby potentially novel DNA sequences acquired by
each participant will be analyzed and discussed during the bioinformatics sessions.
Bioscience experts from the BecA-ILRI Hub and research partners will deliver the
Training.

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Expected outputs Outputs
and outcomes
At least 25 agricultural biosciences researchers from NARS in the ECA region equipped
with practical knowledge of basic molecular biology and bioinformatics.

Outcomes

Strengthened practical skills in basic molecular biology, bioinformatics and diagnostics

Training Approach The workshop will comprise a series of lectures, extensive hands-on practical, group
discussions and experience sharing by participants. Pre- and post- workshop
evaluations will be conducted by both participants and trainers.

Who can apply / The Hub is seeking applicants from eastern and central Africa region who require
selection criteria basics skills in molecular biology and bioinformatics to support their research. The
training is targeting graduate students and early career researchers, based on evidence
of productive scholarship and research, relevance of the workshop to applicant’s
current research, and visible engagement in agricultural research within a national
research institute or university. Additionally, applicants must meet the following
criteria:
• Only nationals of BecA countries are eligible (Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa
Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe,
Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda).
• Strong affiliation with a national agricultural research program or institution or
university in any of the above BecA countries.
• Currently engaged in agricultural biosciences research.
• Holders of BSc, MSc or PhD in biosciences or a related subject.
• Good working knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Endorsement by applicant’s home institution through Letter of
nomination/recommendation from head of department or institution head.
• Women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Key Dates Closing date for applications: midnight 25th March 2015 (Nairobi time)
Successful applicants will be notified by 30th March 2015.
Workshop Dates: 11th – 22nd May, 2015

Partners This training workshop has been organized in partnership with the African Research
Consortium for Ecosystem and Population Health (Afrique One).
The training workshop is sponsored by;
• The Australia Government Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
through a partnership between Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and the BecA-ILRI Hub;
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation;
• The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs through the Swedish International

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 Development Cooperation Agency;
• The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture;
• The Wellcome Trust, and
• Alliance Global

Workshop Venue The Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute
(BecA-ILRI) Hub is a world-class agricultural research and biosciences facility located at
and managed by ILRI in Nairobi, Kenya. It provides support to African and international
scientists conducting research on African agricultural challenges and acts as a focal
point for learning, interaction and strategic research — enabling collaborations in the
scientific community to benefit African farmers and markets within the region. The
Hub was established as part of an African Union/New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD) African Biosciences Initiative, which employs modern
biotechnology to improve agriculture, livelihoods and food security in eastern and
central Africa. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture
research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15
research centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with
hundreds of partner organizations.

The BecA-ILRI Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas
where new developments in science offer promise to address previously intractable
problems constraining Africa’s development. Capacity building is a major goal of all
activities. The scope covers agriculture and food security and their intersections with
human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources.
Further information is available at

http://hub.africabiosciences.org/
www.ilri.org