The Bioscience centre started as a Biotechnology unit in 2009 with molecular biology and tissue culture laboratory with the quest to complement conventional or classical plants and animals breeding at IAR and T. The laboratory has modest facilities to undertake studies in the areas of tissue culture and molecular biology techniques. The unit was upgraded to a Bioscience centre recently under the leadership of the executive director of IAR&T, Professor Veronica Obatolu. The centre now comprises three active laboratories (molecular biology and tissue culture laboratory, pathology laboratory and entomology laboratory).

The centre carries out research activities with the application of different biotechnology techniques towards improving the existing germplasm collection of plants and animals at IAR&T. To develop new lines and breeds with desirable traits in the shortest possible time for further introgression into the breeding programmes.

The centre with modern technology transferred equipment will proffer more solutions to the problems of food insecurity by increasing food production and sustainability of the farmers’ livelihood and other stakeholders in Nigeria. The centre has experienced scientists and technologists with the know-how-techniques of modern molecular biology, tissue culture, pathology and nematology research.

The centre has the mandate to enhance biotechnology techniques through crops and animals’ genome analysis to improve and maintain the existing IAR and T germplasm.

To develop new healthy lines with optimized yield, resistant to pests and diseases and adaptable to the growing environments.

Center Focus

Markers assisted selection of desirable traits with the application of molecular biology markers.
Application of tissue culture techniques for plants and animals tissue modification, callus induction and micropropagation.
Identification and isolation of microbes and antimicrobial properties in plant tissues.

Current Activities

Identification and isolation of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Hibiscus species.
Microbial isolation and identification from the maize plant

Past Achievements

Development of a simple and cheap protocol for in vitro screening of low soil nitrogen tolerant maize variety (TZPB PROI C3).
Quality Protein Maize varieties (Oba 98 and ILE-1-OB) were identified as drought-tolerant maize varieties in vitro.
Genetic linkage map of cowpea was constructed for cowpea improvement and brown blotch-resistant lines.
Yellow maize lines with pro-vitamin A at IAR&T and IITA were characterized using SSR markers The study identified some lines as potential divergent parents to develop new maize lines with a higher level of pro-vitamin A content.
Cytogenetic characterization of Nigerian indigenous pigs has been investigated and information obtained are of great benefits in pig production.

Future Plans

To perform complete DNA analysis (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing and gel documentation).
To modify traits of interest for crop improvement
To further isolate and identify microbes, antimicrobials and antioxidants of interest from plant tissue towards crop improvement

Services Rendered