The Innovation Centre for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (iCMoB) held an inaugural short course training on the basic techniques in Molecular Biology and Microbiology on 23^rd to 27^th August 2021 at PAU Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Lab and the Medical Microbiology Lab JKUAT. The training was attended by post graduate and undergraduate students as well as staff in various fields of science including Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Animal Science.

The five days training, focused on various techniques involved in Molecular Biology and Microbiology research. Basic theories in molecular biology were among the theoretical talks presented by Dr. Steven Ger, Dr. Kevin Mbogo, Ms. Loise Ndung’u, Dr. Amos Mbugua and Dr. Josephine Kimani which included introduction to nucleic acids (DNA), nucleic acid quality assessment methods, Polymerase Chain Reaction, RNA extraction, and cDNA synthesis respectively.

Some basic Microbiological aspects were also presented theoretically to the trainees and they included short talks on Introduction to Cell culture and cell culture techniques, Types of media and their applications, and Bacterial transformation and Gene Manipulation by Dr. Caroline Ngugi, Dr. Andrew Nyerere and Dr. Moses Njire respectively.

The trainees also gathered hands-on skills that included but not limited to DNA/RNA extraction and purification, optimization and the process involved in the Conventional PCR, nanodrop spectrophotometry (quantification and quality check), and the aspects of Gel electrophoresis. Media preparation and sterilization, plating and bacterial inoculation, and bacteria enumeration were among the hands-on skills gained in aspects of microbiology.

The trainees also gathered hands-on skills that included but not limited to DNA/RNA extraction and purification, optimization and the process involved in the Conventional PCR, nanodrop spectrophotometry (quantification and quality check), and the aspects of Gel electrophoresis. Media preparation and sterilization, plating and bacterial inoculation, and bacteria enumeration were among the hands-on skills gained in aspects of microbiology.