UCMI Delivers Molecular Biology Training to Students and Faculty from the University of São Tomé and Príncipe
The University of California Malaria Initiative (UCMI) recently hosted a hands-on training program in Molecular Biology Techniques at its research laboratory for 10 participants, including undergraduate students and faculty members from the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of São Tomé and Príncipe (USTP), as well as students from the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program at the Vítor Sá Machado Higher Institute of Health Sciences.
The five-week training program combined theoretical instruction with practical laboratory sessions. Participants worked in pairs throughout the course, allowing for close mentorship and individualized guidance from the UCMI research team.
The course began with lectures covering the fundamentals of molecular biology, the application of molecular techniques to malaria vector research, biosafety principles, and good laboratory practices. During the practical sessions, participants gained hands-on experience in DNA extraction from Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes, DNA quantification, PCR reaction setup and amplification, and agarose gel electrophoresis for the analysis of PCR products, all under the supervision of experienced researchers.
The training concluded successfully, with participants demonstrating a high level of enthusiasm, engagement, motivation, and commitment throughout the program. In addition to reinforcing concepts learned in the classroom, the course strengthened essential laboratory skills and provided valuable exposure to modern research equipment, laboratory reagents, and advanced molecular biology techniques.
By investing in the development of local scientific capacity, UCMI continues to support the next generation of researchers and health professionals in São Tomé and Príncipe, contributing to stronger national expertise in biomedical research, laboratory diagnostics, and public health.
