A group photograph of participants and faculty members
The Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (BCMB) in collaboration with the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) is organizing the 2nd in a series of workshops on the theme, “Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Diagnostics of Neglected Diseases”.
The workshop which started on July 6, 2015 will run till July 17, 2015 at the Graduate Lecture Room. It is being funded by the Leverhulme Trust and Royal Society with support from the University of Ghana.
Local organizer, Dr. Theresa Manful Gwira explaining a point to participants
The local organiser of the workshop, Dr. Manful Gwira, indicated that the workshop is designed for both graduate and postgraduate students from various tertiary institutions in Africa and professionals in the healthcare industry. Trainees participatethrough presentations, journal club discussions of selected research papers, hands-on laboratory sessions and informal interactions.
Dr. Gordon A. Awandare delivering his opening address
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Head of Department (BCMB) and Centre Leader of WACCBIP, Dr. Gordon A. Awandare informed participants that the Department is in the process of establishing a Centre of excellence to train the next generation of scientists through advanced level training at the Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels. The Centre will also serve as a hub for biomedical research in West Africa through collaborations with national, regional and international partners to provide world-class training and research on the cell and molecular biology of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV etc.
He opined that though concerted efforts have led to a significant reduction in the disease burden, lack of vaccines,threat of drug-resistance and the re-emergence of infectious diseases still remain a bane ofpublic health.
He further underscored the need to build national and regional capacity through training and applied research into the mechanism of infectious diseases. This is aimed at developing novel diagnostic methods, drug discovery and vaccine candidates to combat these diseases.
Prof. Mark Carrington addressing participants at the workshop
Prof. Mark Carrington from the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge in his remarks, urged participants to use this platform as a means to network and use the knowledge and skill garnered in their learning and research pursuits.
Topics to be discussed include, Introduction to Advance Diagnostic Tools in the Control and Treatment Infectious Diseases, Career Opportunities in the Life Sciences, PCR Diagnostics, Bioinformatics and Sequence Analysis, Molecular Basis for Host-Pathogen Interactions, Recombinant Protein Production, Antibody and Antigen Capture Diagnostics, Identification of Diagnostic Marker, Proteomic Analysis of Persister Drug Responses, Microscopy of Some Selected Pathogenic Organisms and Grantsmanship.
Participants at the workshop
Jack Sunter from the University of Oxford presenting on the structure of trypanosomes
Participants undergoing hands – on laboratory sessions
Participating faculty from the University of Ghana include: Dr. Theresa Manful Gwira, Dr. Lydia Mosi, Dr. Gordon A. Awandare, Dr. Nana Yaw Asare Yeboah, Dr. Patrick Arthur. Other international faculty include: Professor Mark Carrington (University of Cambridge), Jack Sunter (University of Oxford), Simone Weyand (University of Cambridge), Monica Mugnier (Rockefeller University, USA), Neil Stahl (Regeneron Pharmaceuticlas, USA) and Jayne Raper (City University of New York).
For further details such as programme schedule, follow the link:
https://www.ug.edu.gh/bcmb/article/trypansome-workshop-2015