Biotech: Genome editing guidelines, R&D funds needed

Abigarl Ndudzo was in secondary school when a new world opened before her eyes – that of micro-organisms she could see only through the lens of a microscope. There and then, science became her passion.

Ndudzo, a PhD student in molecular biology and biotechnology at the Pan African University (PAU) Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), received a grant from the AGNES-Bayer Science Foundation to continue her fieldwork, among other activities related to her research.

University World News spoke to Ndudzo about her goal to advance diagnostic self-sufficiency in agriculture in Africa.

UWN: What is your background and what does your academic journey look like?

AN: I am studying towards a PhD in molecular biology and biotechnology at the PAUSTI. My research focuses on advancing diagnostic self-sufficiency in agriculture. This research is crucial in improving early pathogen detection and enhancing disease management strategies in agriculture. I hold an MSc in microbiology and biotechnology from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe. I also hold a BSc in applied biology and biochemistry from NUST and a post-graduate diploma in education from Lupane State University (LSU) in Zimbabwe.

I am a lecturer in biotechnology at LSU. One of my key goals is to advance biotechnology education and research in Zimbabwe by integrating modern molecular techniques into the curriculum and encouraging students to engage in innovative, problem-solving research. My goal is to contribute to biotechnology research and innovation in Africa, particularly in agriculture, healthcare and environmental sustainability.

I use molecular techniques to study plant viruses (microbiology) and develop diagnostic tools for their detection (biotechnology). My journey into this field was driven by curiosity, exposure and a deep passion for science. From an early age, I was fascinated by the unseen world of micro-organisms and how life functions at a microscopic level.

At secondary school, we had a practicum where we were viewing micro-organisms from pond water samples under the microscope. These practicums were a turning point in my life. They formed the basis for my appreciation of science and this whole new world that I could only see under the microscope.

Growing up in Zimbabwe, I became increasingly aware of challenges in agriculture and healthcare, such as crop diseases and infectious outbreaks, and realised that biotechnology could provide powerful solutions.

UWN: Why did you choose to do your PhD at PAUSTI?

AN: PAUSTI is one of five institutes under the PAU. PAUSTI specialises in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programmes. Admission to PAU is highly competitive and open to high-performing students from across Africa. Studying at PAU provides a world-class education through partnerships with leading universities in Africa and beyond.

A key advantage of studying at PAU is that students do not pay tuition fees, as the university is fully funded by the African Union Commission in collaboration with host governments and partner institutions. Instead, students receive a full scholarship covering tuition, along with a monthly stipend, medical insurance, and financial support for thesis writing and publications. To qualify, applicants must have a strong academic record.

UWN: How will you use the AGNES-Bayer grant?

AN: My PhD research focuses on plant-pathogen diagnostics, specifically developing rapid, cost-effective diagnostic tools for plant viral pathogen detection. My research aligns with global efforts to enhance food security and sustainable farming by providing farmers with an accessible, portable pathogen detection tool.

The grant is instrumental in funding key aspects of my research, including field sampling, molecular analysis, diagnostic tool development, and validation. It also supports scientific collaboration through conference participation and publication of findings, contributing to knowledge exchange and innovation in plant disease diagnostics.

UWN: Why the interest in genome editing?

AN: While my PhD research focuses on plant-pathogen diagnostics, I have a strong interest in genome editing, particularly CRISPR and Cas technology (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), a groundbreaking tool that allows precise modifications of an organism’s DNA. CRISPR works like molecular scissors, using the Cas9 enzyme to cut DNA at specific sites, enabling scientists to delete, modify, or insert genes.

In agriculture, CRISPR has been successfully applied to enhance drought resistance by modifying genes that improve water-use efficiency in crops like rice, wheat and maize. It also plays a crucial role in disease resistance by disabling susceptibility genes that make plants vulnerable to infections such as bacterial Xanthomonas wilt in banana and cassava mosaic disease.

Additionally, CRISPR enables the development of herbicide-resistant crops, allowing farmers to control weeds without harming their plants, as seen in glyphosate-resistant soybeans and maize. The technology has also been used to increase crop yields by enhancing photosynthesis efficiency, improving grain size in rice, and boosting starch content in potatoes. Moreover, biofortification through CRISPR enhances essential nutrients like vitamin A, iron, and zinc, helping to combat malnutrition.

Many African scientists are currently working on genome-editing projects, particularly in agricultural applications, and much of this work is in collaboration with international institutions. While there may not be a specific genome editing breakthrough attributed to a single African scientist in the literature, researchers from Africa are increasingly contributing to global efforts in biotechnology.

I captured some of the genome editing breakthroughs in the article ‘CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in crop breeding for climate change resilience: Implications for smallholder farmers in Africa’ [published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Research in June 2024]. The adoption of genome editing would contribute to sustainable agriculture in Africa in the face of climate change through developing resilient, high-yielding crops capable of thriving in Africa’s diverse agro-ecological conditions.

UWN: What are some of the major constraints in developing a strong biotechnology base in Africa?

AN: Africa has the potential to harness biotechnology for transformative advancements in agriculture, healthcare and industry, yet several constraints hinder its progress. Our paper, ‘The role of young scientists in promoting genome editing for sustainable agriculture and food systems in Africa’, managed to capture most of the challenges and made recommendations on how to overcome some of these barriers to biotechnology adoption.

One of the primary challenges is limited funding for research and development (R&D), as most African governments allocate less than 1% of GDP to scientific research, relying heavily on donor funding. The high costs of lab equipment, reagents and consumables further restrict innovation. To address this, increased government investment and public-private partnerships are necessary.

Another key issue is weak policy and regulatory frameworks, with many African countries lacking clear guidelines on genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, and genome editing. Many institutions lack advanced biotech labs, sequencing facilities, and reliable electricity and internet connectivity, underscoring the need for investments in research infrastructure.

Africa also faces a shortage of skilled biotechnologists (critical mass), exacerbated by brain drain, outdated university curricula, and weak industry-academia collaboration. Governments and universities must invest in biotech training programs, research funding and competitive salaries to retain talent. To build a strong biotechnology base in Africa, governments must increase R&D funding, establish clear regulations, invest in infrastructure and human capital, promote biotech education, and support local biotech industries.