Molecular Laboratory
SAIAB’s Molecular Laboratory underwent extensive refurbishment in 2011. The new facility comprising twenty workstations is fully-equipped for genetics research. New equipment includes five PCR machines, a Gel Doc System as well as a Nanodrop. In addition, laboratory computers house a range of genetic analysis software.
The main techniques performed in the laboratory are DNA extractions and PCR amplification. Gene sequencing is performed by Macrogen Inc. (South Korea).
The laboratory has played a particularly proud role in post-graduate education in its short lifespan. A total of 23 post-graduate students (six Honours, twelve MSc and five PhD) and twelve interns have been trained in molecular techniques and have/are producing data for their degrees or internships in our laboratory. Visitors, research associates and collaborators regularly use the facility. The laboratory is also involved in DNA Barcoding in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB) at the University of Guelph.
The staff and students associated with the laboratory have contributed significantly to the research outputs of SAIAB, with presentations at national and international meetings and conferences.
Since its inception, SAIAB’s Molecular Laboratory has played an active role in science advancement at SAIAB. The laboratory participates annually in SciFest Africa (hands-on apprenticeships demonstrating DNA extractions for high school learners), SAIAB Winterschool (lectures and practical sessions for university students) and undergraduate teaching (practicals to complement the lectures delivered to students in the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Sciences at Rhodes University).
For all queries relating to the Molecular Lab please email Tarin Bodill.