Molecular Breeding of African Staple Food Crops

Central Biotechnology Laboratory IITA Ibadan 

1. Research focus
   1. Molecular marker for MAS
      1. Cassava
      2. Yam
      3. Musa spp.(Plantain/banana)
      4. Cowpea
      5. Maize
   2. Diversity analysis
      1. all crops
   3. Diagnostics
      1. Cassava
   4. Transformation
      1. Cowpea
      2. Cassava
   5. Tissue culture
      1. micropropagation and embryo rescue
      2. germplasm collection,maintenance and characterization
2. Crops
   1. Mandate
      1. Global
         1. Musa (banana & plantain)
         2. Yam
         3. Cowpea
         4. Soybean (no activity)
      2. Sub-Saharan Africa
         1. Cassava
         2. Maize
   2. Non-mandate
      1. Cocoa
3. Infrastructure
   1. Molecular Biology
      1. Automated capillary based sequencers: ABI 310 & ABI3100
      2. Microarray scanner
      3. Gel electrophoresis apparatus: vertical & horizontal
      4. Centrifuges
      5. Freezers (4, -20, -80)
      6. Thermocyclers
      7. Cold rooms – 2
      8. Computer room –with internet connection, for staff and students
   2. Genetic Transformation and Tissue culture
      1. Culture rooms – 2
      2. Flow bench room – 5 laminar flow bench
      3. Particle gun
      4. Stereomicroscope with digital imaging system
      5. containment facilities
      6. Insect proof screenhouse
   3. Personnel
      1. IRS – full time – 5
      2. IRS – partial activities - 7
      3. NRS - 15 full time (technical and administrative)
      4. degree students – 14
      5. Other ARI –
         1. Scientist from IRRI (rice),
         2. WARDA staff on molecular entomology
      6. Non-degree trainees – NARs
4. Research projects Following is a list of projects being performed in linkage with advanced labs, national and regional institutions
   1. cocoa molecular diversity (donor: USAID)
   2. Musa molecular genetics (donor: DGIC)
   3. cowpea transformation (donor: USAID)
   4. cassava transformation for CBSD resistance (donor: RF)
   5. cassava EST and microarray development (donor: DANIDA & USAID)
   6. BioCassava Plus (donor: Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation)
   7. maize molecular genetics
   8. yam diversity (donor: GCP)
   9. Cassava CMD pyramiding (donor: RF)
   10. GM cassava field trial (USAID)
   11. rice molecular genetics (IRRI)
   12. molecular entomology (WARDA; part time)