{"id":18323,"date":"2026-06-20T13:04:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/celebrating-the-third-cohort-of-the-crispr-course-for-the-next-generation-of-african-genome-editors\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:49:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:49:27","slug":"celebrating-the-third-cohort-of-the-crispr-course-for-the-next-generation-of-african-genome-editors","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/celebrating-the-third-cohort-of-the-crispr-course-for-the-next-generation-of-african-genome-editors\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the third cohort of the CRISPR Course for the next generation of African genome editors"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><figure id=\"attachment_33648\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-33648\" style=\"width: 820px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-33648 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CRISPR-Course-fellows.png\" alt=\"CRISPR Course fellows and facilitators during the graduation ceremony\" width=\"820\" height=\"411\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-33648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">CRISPR Course fellows and facilitators during the graduation ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third cohort of the Africa Plant Breeding Academy (AfPBA) CRISPR Course has officially graduated, marking another milestone in strengthening Africa\u2019s capacity for advanced crop improvement technologies. This cohort hosted eleven scientists from five African countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The training, hosted at the <a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/\">IITA<\/a>\u2013<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgiar.org\/\">CGIAR<\/a> Biotechnology Platform in Nairobi, on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilri.org\/\">ILRI<\/a> campus and at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cifor-icraf.org\/\">CIFOR-ICRAF<\/a>, is part of a multi-partner initiative of the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC), in collaboration with IITA, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucdavis.edu\/\">University of California, Davis<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/innovativegenomics.org\/\">Innovative Genomics Institute<\/a> at UC Berkeley. The course provides African researchers with both theoretical and practical knowledge in the use of CRISPR-Cas systems for precise and efficient genome editing in plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the intensive 6-week training period, fellows learned to design and execute genome editing, from guide RNA design to plant transformation, molecular analysis, and phenotyping, gaining hands-on experience that bridges the gap between science and application. The course also included sessions on biosafety, regulatory considerations, and communication, reinforcing a holistic understanding of responsible research and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis program is building a network of African scientists who can lead the application of genome editing to solve agricultural challenges on the continent,\u201d said Dr Leena Tripathi, Director of Genetic Innovations Science Area and leader of the Biotechnology Program. \u201cWe are proud of this new cohort of fellows, and confident that they will make meaningful contributions to their home institutions and national programs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking on behalf of the graduating fellows, one participant reflected, \u201cThis training has transformed how we view biotechnology. We now have the confidence and the technical skills to apply CRISPR in our work and contribute to Africa\u2019s food security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><figure id=\"attachment_33649\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-33649\" style=\"width: 820px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-33649 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Fellows-during-a-training-session.png\" alt=\"Fellows during a training session in the IITA Biotechnology laboratory\" width=\"820\" height=\"411\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-33649\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fellows during a training session in the IITA Biotechnology laboratory<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the course, each fellow will receive one year of post-course mentorship from experts to support the establishment of genome editing programs for crop improvement at their respective home institutions. IITA remains committed to providing ongoing technical advice and guidance to these fellows as they apply their new skills and develop practical research outputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this third cohort, the CRISPR Course has now trained 32 scientists from 10 African countries, equipping them to advance crop research focused on disease resistance, drought tolerance, improved nutrition, and yield. The program aims to establish a critical mass of African genome editing experts capable of driving innovation in plant science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The graduation ceremony was marked by enthusiasm and reflection as fellows received their certificates, symbols of both achievement and commitment to advancing modern biotechnology for Africa\u2019s agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur goal,\u201d added Dr Tripathi, \u201cis to ensure that African scientists are not just consumers of technology but active innovators shaping solutions for the continent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Contributed by Rose-Harriet Okech<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The third cohort of the Africa Plant Breeding Academy (AfPBA) CRISPR Course has officially graduated, marking another milestone in strengthening Africa\u2019s capacity for advanced crop improvement 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