African Plant Breeding Academy celebrates graduation of CRISPR course second cohort

28 October 2024

IITA -CGIAR, in partnership with the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) at UC Berkeley, and the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC), celebrated a milestone on 11 October as the participants of cohort II graduated from the African Plant Breeding Academy (AfPBA) CRISPR course. The training is a part of IITA's broader efforts to equip African scientists with cutting-edge skills in agricultural biotechnology, particularly applying CRISPR-based genome editing to improve crop resilience and productivity.

The graduating class included 11 scientists from 8 African countries: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa. These researchers underwent an intensive program covering both theoretical and practical aspects of genome editing with three two-week sessions at IITA-Nairobi, hosted by ILRI and World Agroforestry in Nairobi, Kenya. The course was designed to address the growing demand for expertise in CRISPR technology to address key agricultural challenges such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, nutrition enhancement, and crop yield improvement.

With this latest cohort, 21 scientists from national research institutions in nine African countries have been trained in CRISPR technology. During the course, participants engaged in hands-on lab sessions, learning to design and execute CRISPR experiments on crops. These practical sessions were complemented by expert-led lectures from IITA's leading scientists and international experts from IGI and UC Davis, providing insights into the latest advancements and applications of gene editing in agriculture.

The program imparted technical skills and fostered collaboration and networking, encouraging participants to share ideas and explore how CRISPR technology can be applied to solve some of Africa's most pressing agricultural challenges.

Leena Tripathi, IITA Eastern Africa Hub Director and Biotechnology Program Lead, emphasized the importance of capacity building in cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR. "This course is part of our commitment to empowering African researchers with the tools they need to drive innovation in agriculture. By equipping them with genome editing skills, we are enabling a new wave of scientific breakthroughs that will benefit farmers across the continent," she said.

As IITA celebrates the graduation of the second AfPBA CRISPR cohort, it continues solidifying its role as a leader in advancing agricultural science in Africa. The course's success reflects IITA's ongoing efforts to transform African agriculture through innovation.

IITA is looking forward to continuing this capacity development drive with cohort III in 2025.

Contributed by Rose Harriet Okech