Why Teach Molecular Biology in Africa?

1. Why Teach Molecular Biology in Africa? Funding From WISC (NSF/AAAS) & TWAS/UNESCO 3 Short courses at Université de Lomé in Togo

2. Togo is an LDC (Least Developed Country) 1993--EU and US aid suspended (and PCR becomes common) 1994-- Devaluation of CFA 2003--Presidential Elections Economy Phosphates Coffee Cacao Cotton Port Agriculture Corn Yams and other tubercules Millet

3. Brief Description of Professor Tozo ’s University- Université de Lomé--www.ub.tg/swintro.htm 21000 students 600 Researchers and Professors 5 Facultes (Divisions), 5 Ecoles de formation (Professional Schools)--organization is shown below. The University of Lomé was founded in 1972 and enrollment has expanded very rapidly in recent years. To enter, students must pass the Baccalaureate Examination. The University is based on the French system and awards the equivalent of Associate, Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees. Facultes: Droit Lettre Medecine Economie Sciences Ecoles: Secretariat, Agronomie, ENSI, IUT Gestion Faculté des Sciences 800 Etudiants (8 % women) 82 Researchers & Professors (7 women) 7 Departments We plan to collaborate with Professor Koumaglo In the chemistry department who runs the liquid chromatography systems and is an expert on purification and identification of plant natural products. Science Departments Chimie Maths Physiques Geologie Biologie animale Physiologie Animale Botanique Botany Sub-divisions Biologie Cellulaire Botanique & Ecologie Physiologie et Biotechnologie Vegatales Botanique 15 Researchers& Professors 3 Labs Laboratoire de Physiologie et Biotechnologie Végétales 4 Graduate Students 5 Professors - Atsou AIDAM, Ph D - Koffi TOZO, Ph D - Yezoumi AKOGO, Ph D - Komi ODAH - Madje Quashie The Botany department houses a laboratory that includes facilities for plant cultures,an autoclave, incubators,and a common work area for professors and a teaching laboratory for students. The landscaped campus includes many interesting plant species.

4. U. Lomé Campus

5. What/how do I teach? Lecture & HW Bioinformatics Lots of questions Journal Clubs--in English Practical Experimental with labs But not--independent projects, oral reports Collaborative teaching

6. What’s good? • 1 credit is--50 hrs lecture, 50 hours problem sessions, and 50 hours lab • Support personnel and lab helpers • Student attitudes

7. What’s missing? • Libraries, books • Lab equipment • Bathrooms, lunch • Fast computers

8. What kinds of research programs are of interest? Plant biodiversity Biotechnology Medicinal Plants Malaria Sickle Cell Anemia Nutrition and Genetics Environmental Surveys/ Local product development

10. 1- Dodoenea viscosa

11. 1- Dodoenea viscosa : Only one D. viscosa tree in Lome maybe in Togo…

13. Where do the students go? • Many don’t pass Year 1 or 2 • To teaching • To Europe, US, and elsewhere • Ph. D. in Lomé • Home • BTS

14. Is Molecular Biology too expensive? How many US drugs have been found “rationally”? Can Africans afford NOT to study diseases and agriculture issues that affect them?

15. What do people ask me for? Computers Money TAQ Polymersase and pure water Journal articles Pen pals Cell phones To come to US/BMC Pen pals Sports Equipment

16. Who gets to do science? • Does it matter? • Students/teachers in developing countries? • Students/teachers in Liberal Arts Colleges? PS. President Gnassingbe EYADEMA 12/26/1936-2/5/2005 President since 1967 Died of a heart attack in office.

17. Return to Summary of Brown Bag Discussion