KEMRI Graduate School to collaborate with Universite-Cote-Dazur, France on Biobanking Training

Prof Elijah Songok (Centre) , Director of KEMRI Graduate School pays a courtesy call to Prof. Jeannick Brisswater ( left), President of University of Cote-D-Azur in Nice France, in preparation for the signing of an MOU between KEMRI and Uiversite -D-Cote Dazur on training partnership in Biobanking. With them are Cecile Sabourault, Vice President, International Development and External Relations and Marie-Pierre Ballarin, Vice President, International Relations (Africa region).

The lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of swift development of sensitive diagnostic tests, effective vaccines and therapeutics. It is noteworthy that scientists both in academia and industry depend on the use of high-quality biological samples taken from infected patients. Given such unique and emergent situations, it is critical for countries to establish biological and clinically annotated sample collections, for immediate development of clinical and translational research projects for diagnostic and vaccine development. In this regard establishment of viable biobanks is of priority.

The KEMRI Graduate School has established a partnership with Universite-Cote-DaZur France to train laboratory scientists from the region on Biobanking. With the support of the French Embassy, the program will include long term training for KEMRI Scientists and sandwich training programs for KEMRI Graduate students in France for periods ranging from 3- 24 months.