How Biotechnological Innovations Can Help Achieve SDGs, By Experts

Professionals, dons and experts in biotechnology, yesterday, stressed the need for humanity to embrace biotechnological innovations, saying it will help to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

They include the President, Nigeria Bioinformatics and Genomics Network, Dr. Charlse Adetunji; Dr. Su Shiung Lam of the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; the Vice Chancellor, PCU, Prof. Kola Oloke and others.

They spoke at the second Recent Advances in Biotechnology Conference and Workshop (RAIB-2021) held at the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan.

Lam, who spoke on the latest innovation of conversion of waste into value added products through the use of microwave vacuum pyrolysis, said the process was very efficient and bio-friendly.

He, however, canvassed more collaboration in research from scholars on waste and biomass, among others.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor, PCU, Prof. Oloke, restated the role of biotechnology in reshaping an economy.

“There could be no better time to have this type of workshop, as we urgently need to get out of the devastation that COVID-19 has enforced into our ways of doing things,” he said.

Oloke, who is also a biotechnologist, said: “At the commencement of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I was able to lead other scientists in different institutions both in Nigeria and other places to construct two COVID-19 vaccines.

“Our team is almost rounding off with animal trials of the two vaccines. Since clinical trials of the vaccines will require a lot of money, we urgently need investors who may be willing to join our team in making the vaccines a worthwhile project.”

By Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan

https://guardian.ng/news/how-biotechnological-innovations-can-help-achieve-sdgs-by-experts/