The Biosciences Facility Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) being established as part of NEPAD’s network of centres of excellence Ed Rege Director, Biotechnology International Livestock Research Institute

Outline 1.What is BecA? 2.How will it work? 3.Where are we now?

BecA Defined (1)  BecA is a new initiative  under NEPAD’s Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP)  Being developed under framework of Centres of Excellence for Science and Technology  Aims to employ modern biotechnology to improve agriculture in eastern and central Africa

BecA Defined (2)  BecA seeks to: strengthen the capacity of scientists in eastern and central Africa to conduct bioscience research Significantly contribute to improved products that can improve livelihoods of farmers in the region

BecA Defined (3)  Core of BecA will be a joint venture of regional research partners linked to the global research community  Expected features of the research: Regional/national priorities individual research projects organized in research consortia bringing together teams Opportunity for strong links, as necessary, to researchers internationally (e.g. ARIs, CGIAR)

BecA Origins (1)  For years, ILRI had been involved in capacity building in biosciences relevant for livestock research and development  Difficulty to meet high and increasing demand to support biosciences needs (R&D, esp. training) of Africa  Limited by its ‘livestock mandate’ and available research infrastructure

BecA Origins (2)  ILRI considered that the demand could be met by building on existing capacity to better serve biosciences needs for Eastern Africa  Consultation and the resulting report drew the interest of NEPAD & others

BecA Origins (3)  Recognition of convergence of ideas and purpose (2002)  Decision to pursue the concept - with a focus on Biosciences  NEXT concrete steps: Side event at the CGIAR AGM in Manila in 2002 – NEPAD presentation Establishment of interim Steering committee Presentation of concept at several subsequent meetings => increasing interest in concept

BecA Origins (4)  Proposal to CIDA for refurbishment of facilities to respond to growing demands and new science opportunities  NEPAD’s support for ILRI’s grant application to CIDA – as a potential hub  Continuing broader discussions to obtain wider interest/support for the concept

About BecA How will it work?

Objectives (1)  Focal point for African scientists to address high priority problems Creation and strengthening of human capital Promoting scientific excellence by bringing in national, regional and international scientists in state-of-the-art facilities Provision of affordable, accessible facilities

Objectives (2) Promotion and support of relevant science to solve priority problems Support advice/training on biosafety and IP issues Attract investments in biosciences in and for Africa from public and private sector, African governments, regional and international bodies A platform for forging partnerships with other such initiatives in and out of Africa

Objectives (3)  A state of the art shared Biosciences Facility  Focus on: High priority applications in agriculture and related biosciences issues R & D, including capacity building National and sub-regional priorities

About the initiative  Stakeholders: NARS; RECs; IARCs; R&D NGOs and similar  Operate on cost-sharing/recovery basis to ensure sustainability

Core competencies at the hub Bioinformatics and broadband access High throughput genotyping and medium throughput sequencing Genomics and proteomics Plant and microbial transformation techniques and appropriate containment facilities Greenhouse with appropriate containment Animal handling and containment facilities Immunology capacity Molecular diagnostics for DNA and protein-based diagnostics Biometrics Imaging technology

 Sequencing, genotyping, Real Time PCR, microarrays, proteomics  Central Core (Glassware, wash, media prep, sterilisation)  OHS, Biosafety, Radiation safety etc  IP & regulatory issues  InfoCentre (Library)  web access Support Services at the Hub - examples

 Training laboratory  Computer training laboratory/internet  Seminar rooms Training Facilities at the Hub

What might the relationships look like? NARS CGIAR orgs NEPAD Regional universities Regional councils of science and technology

Governance & Management  Governance: Steering committee (supported by a secretariat)  Management of the network (coordinated by the secretariat under a Network Director): The hub - ILRI The nodes – institutions in respective countries Other stakeholders/partners The secretariat - led by a Network Director

The Hub A. ILRI’s role in managing the hub:  Ensuring availability of the facilities  Ensuring facilities keep up with technological developments  Staffing to meet technical support at the hub and management requirements

The Hub B. ILRI’s role in facilitating access to the hub:  ‘Queue management’ to ensure orderly access  Development and management of contracts  Induction training to users  Facilitation of project implementation through provision of intellectual support – in terms of mentors, coaches, supervisors, partners B. Ensuring Biosafety and OHS C. Ensuring adherence to host-country agreement with Kenya

About BecA Where are we now?

Current Status (1) A. Facilities Refurbishments started early 2007 B. Capacity building and projects Competitive Grants for Fellowships Competitive Grants for Research Projects Flagship projects for Nodes Traditional CGIAR graduate fellowships New funding opportunities being sought

Current Status (2) C. Staffing BecANet Director – recruited late 2005 BecA Platform Manager – recruitment at advanced stage BecA Animal Research Support Scientist – recruited April 2007 BecA Plant Research Support Scientist – advertised April 2007

Current Status (3) D. Grants for capacity building and projects (Jan 2007 to March 2009) - CAN$1.6m: Workshops & Group training: $200k Competitive grants Small research grants: $330k Fellowships: $340k Women Scientists Small research grants: $212k Fellowships: $347k Post-conflict countries: $212k

Current Status (4) Bulletin Updates on Refurbishments

Existing

Proposed

Phasing of refurbishments

Greenhouse Facilities (1)

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Thank you!