The Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio), a research platform, has set aside US$35 million to support the renovation and upgrading of laboratories to promote research that addresses some of the most pressing problems facing the SADC region.

Interim SANBio Network manager, Ereck Chakauya, said this in Harare recently when he led a team from his organization that visited key stakeholders in bio-sciences and their facilities and to assess human and infrastructure capacity in Zimbabwe.

The visit was also aimed to raise awareness of SANBio activities at the political and technical levels in the country.

Said Chakauya: “SANBio has allocated US$35 million for laboratory equipment and infrastructure. You need to develop a database of equipment in your laboratories so that you know who has what and how best this can be shared.

“We have access models for sharing laboratory equipment among research institutions. Please do not hesitate to apply for these funds. The money is there and what you need to do is to send us your proposal. The money will be allocated on a competitive basis.”

SANBio is a shared biosciences research, development and innovation platform for working collaboratively to address some of Southern Africa’s key biosciences issues in health, nutrition and health-related intervention areas such as agriculture and environment.

It was established in 2005 under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), as one of the five networks established under the African Biosciences Initiative (ABI), to cover the SADC region.

The platform provides access to world-class laboratories for African and international scientists conducting research on African biosciences challenges.

The network has 12 member states which include: Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Source: CPAfrica