1 August 2023
As part of efforts to strengthen the capacities of young graduates, IITA–CGIAR Virology and Molecular Diagnostics (VMD) Unit organized a week-long training themed: “Introductory Training Course in Virology and Molecular Diagnostics” from 10 to 14 July 2023 at the Institute’s headquarters, Ibadan.
The five-day training exposed 15 young graduates and early career professionals from Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda to various virus diagnostic methods, equipping participants with molecular diagnostics skills and practical aspects to strengthen their path toward a sustainable career in agricultural R4D.
Participants with Michael Abberton and their facilitators.
Head of IITA Virology and Molecular Diagnostics (VMD) Unit, Lava Kumar, introduced the trainees to different diagnostics methods and how to use them for diagnosing virus diseases and other applications such as seed health testing.
The course gave the trainees hands-on experience in the laboratory, assisted by the VMD team members Olamide Lateef, Samuel Alaohuo, Patricia Ogunsanya, Olateju Oyelami, and Oviasuyi Taiwo, on application of diagnostic methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), ELISA, nucleotide sequencing, isothermal diagnostics (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification – LAMP and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification) and bioassays.
The trainees were also introduced to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatics-based virus detection methods and phylogeny by Bolaji Osundahunsi, a yam virologist at VMD.
Yam Disease Phenotyping Specialist Olufisayo Kolade demonstrated using digital apps, such as ESTIMATE, for disease phenotyping. She expounded on the importance of disease phenotyping in breeding for resistant varieties and genotypic studies to identify QTLs. She added that using a digital tool would reduce the bias and drudgery of manual data entry, more accurate, faster, and reliable to the user.
Participants during an experimental session on DNA extraction.
Kumar explained the pros and cons of various diagnostics methods, criteria to select best-fit tools and interpreting diagnostic results, troubleshooting, and sample preservation.
The participants ascertained the effectiveness of the training, which gave them more insights into molecular diagnostics to discover technical and practical ways of applying the knowledge acquired in their careers.
Ruth Oluwasegun, a plant breeder and participant, said she understood molecular diagnostics better. “I will leverage the knowledge gained to produce pathogen-free materials for the farmers, as this would help combat food insecurity and produce quality foods in Africa,” she said.
The training concluded with the presentation of certificates of participation to trainees and words of encouragement from Michael Abberton, Director of the IITA West Africa hub.
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