ICGEB-Africa Formally Opened
September 14, 2007| |
The Cape Town Component of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) was officially opened by President Thabo Mbeki. The centre, situated in Cape Town's GrootesSchuur Hospital, will boost biotechnology research and development in Africa. An ICGEB press release states that research and training activities will be on subjects which are of major impact for the African continent, focusing primarily on infectious diseases (HIV-AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis), chronic (cardiovascular and cancer-related) and genetic diseases. Plant biotechnology research will be aimed at improving the staple crops essential for the African population. This ICGEB center will operate within the same framework as the Trieste and New Delhi Components, where research programs at the forefront of scientific excellence constitutes the basis of the training programmes in the organization
The Government of South Africa supported the establishment of this new component which offers provisional laboratory space and around 4,000 square meters of multipurpose areas for 100 scientists. It is hoped that this facility will be the source of important scientific breakthroughs in the fields of health, nutrition, agricultural improvement and environmental protection in Africa.
The press release can be viewed at: http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2007/07091016451001.htm.
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