Biotech researchers at UWI, Mona
published: Thursday | April 20, 2006

The research team at the Biotechnology Centre, UWI. At back, from left: Simone Pinnock, Franklin McKenzie, Shawna-Gae Turner, Latanya Fisher, Dr. Paula Tennant (team leader). At front, from left: Alexia Harvey, Stacy Marie Bennett and Melaine Chin. Other members include Ryan Francis, Andre Jackson, and Dr. Wayne Mc Laughlin. - CONTRIBUTED

RESEARCHERS IN the Biotechnology Centre and the Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, are making strides in the field.

New varieties of tomatoes, peppers and papaya are being developed using GE technologies that hold promise of increased resistance to virus diseases plaguing these crops.

The research programmes cover a broad range of activities, including the diagnosis and characterisation of the plant pathogen, its distribution across the island and effects on crops, as well as the development of disease-free plants through tissue culture or the development of resistant varieties by GE technology and traditional breeding methods.

Postgraduate training for M.Phil. and Ph.D. candidates in biotechnology, and jointly in biochemistry, microbiology and botany are provided.