1. Molecular breeding (MB) or marker assisted breeding (MAB) is an enhanced tool that allows researchers to look for DNA fingerprintings or markers in plants. Molecular plant breeding helps to expand genetic diversity, characterize genetic architecture, modify gene action, and its methods can be applied to increase selection efficiency. The MB Program utilizes DNA marker technology to aid effective incorporation of valuable traits into plant cultivars. Many important traits in the development of cultivars can be difficult to measure and difficult to make progress with selections in breeding programs. DNA marker technology aids in overcoming these limitations by using a small amount of leaf tissue from a plant to perform an easily interpretable laboratory analysis indicating the likelihood of having the desired trait. Despite the promise of this technology, many developing countries have not fully implemented it. Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) laboratories are an integral part of MB and so the implementation of an effective MB program depends on its functionality. In developed countries, latest approaches are routinely applied via advanced technologies whereas developing countries are still taking initial steps in MB techniques. Several limitations in the application of MB include lack of optimal facilities, little or no access to consumables and molecular markers and poorly trained personnel. However, through virtual platforms aided by the Generation Challenge Programme (GCP), molecular breeders in Africa now have better access to high standard equipment, advanced laboratory services, capacity building and data management tools. These attempts are geared towards genetic crop improvement in developing countries through functional laboratories. In this presentation, we report current challenges, opportunities and progress made so far by biotechnology platforms in enhancing functional MAS laboratory management in Africa using Nigeria as a case study. Keywords: Markers assisted selection, molecular plant breeding, Nigeria Emerging technologies offer new prospects to promote the integration of crops and their derivatives from developing countries into the global economy (Brink et al 1998). Plant biotechnology is a technique that enables innovative advances in agriculture and industry and has the potential to broaden knowledge and provide solutions to some of the most intractable challenges faced in African countries (Delmer 2005; Thomson 2007), in particular eradicating extreme poverty and hunger- goal 1 of the Millennium Development Goals (UN 2010). Molecular breeding (MB) is a technique in plant biotechnology which involves the application of biotechnological tools using detailed information at the individual gene level to assist breeding decisions. This breeding program utilizes DNA marker technology to aid effective incorporation of valuable traits into improved plant cultivars. Many important traits in the development of cultivars can be difficult to measure or are environmentally sensitive and thus making selection difficult for breeders. DNA marker technology aids in overcoming these limitations through the use of small amount of seed or leaf tissue from plants for performing easily interpretable laboratory analysis, indicating the likelihood of having the desired trait. Because it is difficult to combine numerous important traits simultaneously into cultivars, marker-assisted breeding (MAB) gives geneticists a versatile set of tools that can augment, as well as verify, traditional selection techniques. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) uses genetic fingerprinting techniques to assist plant breeders in matching molecular profile to the physical properties of the individual. It is the identification of DNA sequences located near genes that can be tracked to breed for traits that are difficult to measure phenotypically (Barloo and Stam, 1999). The use of DNA markers for indirect selection offers greatest benefits for quantitative traits with low heritability as these are the most difficult characters to assess in field experiments. Furthermore, MAS can shorten the time required for the development of new varieties significantly. It also allows the breeding of complex traits not feasible through conventional methods. Whilst developed countries routinely use several molecular breeding (MB) applications and are exploring the latest approaches, developing countries in Africa are testing marker applications and taking initial steps towards adopting MB in routine breeding programmes. MAS laboratory is an integral part of MB and so the implementation of an effective MB program depends on its functionality. The MB laboratory allows us to routinely select for simple qualitative traits and improve the success frequency when working on more complex polygenic traits. MB technique was poorly adopted in African countries especially in Nigeria due to some limitations which include lack of laboratory facilities, a problem which was later combated by the Generation Challenge Progamme (GCP) in 2005 with the establishment and funding of a MAS laboratory at National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike. We report here the current challenges, opportunities and progress made so far by biotechnology platforms in enhancing functional MAS laboratory management in Africa using Nigeria as a case study. In African countries, the MAS laboratory facilities are only efficient for handling analysis of few samples at a time, unreliable power supply also poses a major challenge in MAS laboratories affecting the temperature at which reagents and enzymes are stored. Shortage of trained personnel on molecular techniques and maintenance of equipment used in MAS laboratories also limit the efficiency of marker technology in Africa. Furthermore, molecular markers and some consumables are always sourced from other countries like UK, USA, Colombia and these items can be delayed at International border custom offices. Such restrictions are manageable but require foresight to predict and resolve in order to prevent unnecessary delay and loss of delicate materials which in turn affect the effectiveness of marker technology. Amidst the challenges, there are also actual potential opportunities. As part of the grant received from GCP, a MAS laboratory was established at NRCRI, Umudike in 2005 which carries out diversity studies, Cassava Mosaic Disease screening using SSR and SCAR markers and screening for molecular markers associated with early bulking in cassava. Fig.1: View of NRCRI MAS laboratory Fig. 2: PCR section of NRCRI MAS laboratory Large-scale genotyping activities are now best outsourced to advanced laboratories in the developed countries and this appreciates partnership and collaboration between African and Western laboratories. Through virtual platforms, some of these problems and challenges are being addressed. GCP has established a platform for capacity building and technology transfer through the collaboration between the developing and advanced laboratories. Efforts are being made by NRCRI to collaborate and work with advanced laboratories like Kbiosciences Ltd, UK for high-throughput genotyping services using SNPs, Cornell University, USA, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, USA, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan and International Center for Tropical Agriculture, CIAT, Colombia. Some NRCRI staff have been trained by GCP under capacity building program in MAS in cassava breeding at CIAT, Colombia. There is also need for training and retraining for advanced technologies in MAS Fig. 3: Staff loading DNA samples on agarose gel Fig.4: Gel documentation section of NRCRI for electrophoresis MAS laboratory Implementing molecular breeding will contribute to higher crop production that will translate into better nutrition and poverty alleviation. Using DNA markers in plant breeding with marker-assisted selection (MAS) could greatly improve the precision and efficiency of selection, leading to the accelerated development of new crop varieties. Furthermore, MAS can shorten the development time of varieties significantly. It also allows the breeding of complex traits not feasible previously through conventional methods. It is unrealistic to project that large-scale molecular breeding activities will be conducted in the near-term in developing countries but the prospects are bright for breeders in these countries to take advantage of large international initiatives by accessing germplasm, data, tools and methodology that will allow them conduct efficient molecular breeding. Partnerships and collaboration between developed and developing country intitutions also appear a very promising means to realising the potential of molecular breeding in Africa. We are thankful to the Generation Challenge Programme for the establishment and funding of the MAS laboratory at NRCRI, Umudike. We also thank the former Executive Director: Dr. Kenneth Nwosu for his support. Berloo R.V., and Stam, P (1999), Comparison between marker - assisted selection and phenotypical selection in a set of Arabidopsis thaliana recombinant inbred lines. Theoretical and applied genetics 98:113-118. Brink JA, Woodward BR, Da Silva EJ (1998) Plant biotechnology: a tool for development in Africa. Electron J Biotechnol 1:1-12 Delmer DP (2005) Agriculture in the developing world: Connecting innovations in plant research to downstream applications. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102:15739-15746 Thomson JA (2007) The role of biotechnology for agricultural sustainability in Africa PhilosTrans R Soc Lond B 363:905-913 UN (2010) Millennium development goals. UN Department of Public Information, Rome. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals. Managing a Functional Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) Laboratory in Africa Onyegbule O 1., E. Okogbenin 1 *, C. Egesi 1, O. Akinbo 1, S. Kahya 1 B. Olasanmi 1, and M. Fregene 2. 1 National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Nigeria; 2 Donald Danforth Plant Science Center St. Louis, MO. USA. corresponding author: eokogbenin@yahoo.comeokogbenin@yahoo.com ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION CHALLENGES TO MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION RESEARCH IN AFRICA OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRESS OF MOLECULAR BREEDING RESEARCH IN NIGERIA DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REFERENCES