Our scientific director will participate in teaching a school on genome editing for neuroscience research in Ghana, Africa

Joint action to promote cutting-edge research in Africa

The International Brain Research Organization-African Regional Committee (IBRO-ARC) is organizing a School on Genome Editing for Neuroscience Research in collaboration with a non-governmental organization (TReND in Africa). The school will be held at the University of Ghana in Accra (Ghana), from October 31st to November 6th. It will be a satellite event of the 15th Society of Neuroscience of Africa (SONA) conference, which will count with the presence of several International speakers.

The aim of the school is to promote research on genome editing in several non-rodent model systems in Africa, where, during the last few years, there is a growing interest from the local scientific community in zebrafish as a model.

Students will not only learn theoretical principles from distinguished scientists in the field, but also gain hands-on experience in genome editing and genetic research techniques to equip neuroscientists with new knowledge to tackle growing biomedical challenges in Africa.

The school will be directed to outstanding Ghanaian and international African students who have been awarded a fellowship to travel (from DR Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon) to Ghana. In the school, the participants will learn how to perform CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in cells, fruit flies and zebrafish and will receive practical training in molecular biology, embryo microinjections, cell culture and more.

From our side, our scientific director, Vincenzo Di Donato, will join the school as an expert in the field of genomic modifications, and to represent ZeClinics as a worldwide reference company in zebrafish genetics. From TReND, Thomas Auer, researcher at the University of Lausanne and coordinator of TReND’s genome editing courses will participate. The faculty team will be completed by Lily Paemka, the head of the genetics program at the University of Ghana, Accra, Patrick Amoateng, president of SONA and the Ghana Neuroscience Society, and Jean-Paul Concordet, pioneer in genome editing from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France.

The action will be complemented by the delivery of scientific material and equipment.

About IBRO 

It is the global association of neuroscience societies established in 1961 that aims to promote and support neuroscience around the world through training, education, research, outreach and engagement activities, and the publication of two journals, Neuroscience and IBRO Neuroscience Reports.

About TReND in Africa

It is a charity supporting scientific capacity building across Africa. It runs cutting edge biomedical training courses, provides universities with scientific equipment, runs academic volunteering and outreach schemes, and supports and works with African researchers.


Ver medio View full article