Enhancing the value of genetic resources through science & technology: The

role of the BecA Hub

Segenet Kelemu (Director, BecA Hub)

Presented at the Bio-Innovate Launch ILRI, Nairobi

16 March 2011

Outline

Solutions are around the corner…

Biopesticides - Baculovirus/cassava hornworm

- Other biopesticides

Potpourri of examples

Cassava hornworm

• It is a major pest of cassava causing losses of 50% or more

• Main control strategy had been insecticides• The hornworm virus, Baculovirus erinnyis,

naturally infects the pest larvae

Cassava hornworm (Erinnyis ello)

Loss in the field due to cassava hornworm

BACULOVIRUS of E. ello

Process of BV collection

Larvaeblended

solution

Baculovirus as powder

BACULOVIRUS of E. ello

Sick larvae collected in the field

Commercial product

BioVirus®

Based on a BACULOVIRUS

of Erinnyis ello

For the control of cassava

hornworm

Commercial product

BioVirus®

Based on a BACULOVIRUS

of Erinnyis ello

For the control of cassava

hornworm Biotropical, Colombia

Solutions are just around the corner

• Antibiotics• Enzymes (e.g Taq Polymerase)-PCR• Agrobacterium as genetic transformation agent

Solutions around the corner….

• The discovery of penicillin could be the most famous of all medical advances.

Millions of lives saved

Solutions are just around the corner• Enzymes (e.g Taq Polymerase)

Solutions are just around the corner

• Agrobacterium: a natural tool for genetic transformation

134 million hectares of genetically engineered crops in 2009

Solutions are just around the corner

African genetic resources….Coffee- Natural decaffeinated coffee (discovered in 2004)- Sources of disease resistance

Kola tree (Cola nitida).. Coca cola

African prune... Prostate remedy

Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii)... the recently popular appetite suppressant dietary supplement

Shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa)... popular cosmetic ingredient

Africa has been and continues to be a significant source of medicinal plants to the world’s food, drug, and herb and dietary supplement market

Solutions are just around the corner

African genetic resources….

Globally, there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, and the number is growing.

• U.S. weight loss market at $55 billion in 2007• Currently at over $60 billion

Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii)... the recently popular appetite suppressant: a new rising star for the weight loss industry

“Hoodia fools the brain by making you think you’re full, even if you've eaten just a morsel”

The BecA Hub: its role in African science and technology

BecA’s major objectives

• Research: hosting, facilitating, conducting and catalyzing research efforts

• Capacity building and training: enabling students/visiting scientists to undertake hands-on research

• Research services: providing services to enhance research

• Serving as a focal point for the agricultural research community; linkage to the global one

• Promoting product development/delivery: identifying potential development partners

Conclusion

Science & technology is key to enhance the ability of Africans to control and use their natural resources

BecA should be a place where discoveries are made