Molecular Genetics Lab
Molecular Genetics Lab – Ibadan, Nigeria
The IITA Bioscience Center is a major molecular biology and biotechnology hub at IITA in Ibadan, Nigeria. It is widely recognized as one of the leading molecular biology labs in sub-Saharan Africa, equipped to support advanced research and diagnostics. This facility provides molecular genetics services and tools essential for research, genetic characterization, and breeding support — including DNA technologies, genotyping, sequencing, and bioinformatics.
Core molecular techniques and services offered
The laboratory supports a range of genetic and molecular analyses used for crop improvement and research, such as:
- Nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) isolation
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and qPCR (Real-Time PCR)
- DNA sequencing and genotyping methods (including SNP analysis and possibly next-generation sequencing workflows)
- Cytogenetics (ploidy analysis) and DNA fragment analysis
- Bioinformatics data analysis support for genetic data interpretation
These services support both internal research and external collaborations with scientists and students.
Role in training and capacity building
- The Bioscience Center runs hands-on molecular biology training programs for graduate students, researchers, and technicians across Africa. These workshops cover practical lab skills such as DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and introductory bioinformatics.
- Recent training (e.g., in 2026) emphasized real-world molecular tools like SNP genotyping and DATSeq, showing the lab’s role in building technical capacity in the region.
Connection to the Genetic Resources Center (GRC)
The Bioscience Center contributes to IITA’s research agenda by:
- Providing molecular insights to accelerate crop improvement programs.
- Supporting sustainable agricultural development through science-based interventions.
- Enhancing food security in Africa by ensuring crops are resilient, productive, and genetically diverse.
- Building human capital in molecular sciences to strengthen African agricultural research capacity.
Integration with broader research
- Molecular lab functions are also used in genome editing, molecular diagnostics, and trait verification work in crops — including DNA extraction, PCR, genotyping, and sequencing — as shown in research associate roles and collaborative projects at IITA.
- Other molecular facilities like Virology & Molecular Diagnostics labs exist on campus to support diagnostics and plant health work (e.g., virus indexing using PCR/ELISA).