IMBM just concluded the 2024 edition of their annual flow cytometry workshop where 20+ participants learnt about the theory behind flow cytometry before 6 of them received hands-on training on the BD FACS Aria. Thank you to DIPLOMICS for sponsoring the workshop and ensuring quality training for South African researchers in omic technologies. Also a huge thank you to Rozanne Adams from Becton Dickinson and Katlego Matsha from Obsidian Health for presenting the course and to the participants for making it a fun week.
The three-year project “Harnessing African Microbial Diversity to mitigate Green House Gas emissions in maize production” is coordinated by the IMBM (UWC) and includes five international partners: Prof Peter Dörsch (Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences), Prof Michele Perazzolli (Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento), Prof Concepción Calvo (Department of Microbiology, University of Granada) and Prof Christopher Ngosong (Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, University of Buea). The IMBM investigators include Profs Bronwyn McCullough and Marla Trindade, Dr Lonnie van Zyl and Mr Kyle Meyer as Magister student.
One of the first activities of the project was the visit of Prof Dörsch and Niklas Wickander, a PhD student on the project, to the IMBM. The visit focused on the sampling techniques that will be employed to capture GHG emission in the field trials that are planned for 2024 and 2025.
The Green ERA-Hub (GEH), is a coordination and support action of the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. The programme coordinates national and international research programmes on Agrifood and Biotechnology.
Launching the 1KSA project marks a pivotal moment in genomic research, powered by an alliance of dedication and expertise. A profound thank you to Tim Newman, Shane Murray, Setshaba Taukobong, Anja le Grange and Patricia Swart of DIPLOMICS (Distributed Platform in Omics ; Renate Zipfel and Nicky Olivier from UPGL; Gwynneth Matcher from NRF – South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity; Renee Prins from CenGen; and Lonnie van Zyl from University of the Western Cape for their invaluable insights. Together, we’re embarking on an ambitious quest to sequence 1000 South African genomes, unveiling the hidden stories within our unique biodiversity. This collaborative effort stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we unite in science and discovery.
Check out a video of the launch at the link below.
Annually the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) honours the country’s most outstanding scholars by electing them as members of the Academy. This singular honour recognises scholastic achievement across the spectrum of academic disciplines. Members constitute the core asset of the Academy and give of their time and expertise voluntarily in the service of society. on 9 November 2023 Prof. Trindade was inducted into the academy in recognition of her work in the field of microbial genomics at a gala dinner. You can watch the inauguration ceremony at the link below:
UWC has celebrated this prestigious recognition which demonstrates it’s influence in enhancing the quality, competitiveness and internationalisation of UWC research and students:
