JU got research equipment worth Tk 3 crore including two PCR machines

JU Correspondent: Jagannath University (JU) has received research equipment worth around Tk 3 crore including two PCR machines. As the only university in South Asia and Asia to receive the Instrumental Access Award-2020, Seeding Lab has sent two PCR machines and high quality lab equipment worth around Tk 3 crore for the development of education and research at the university.

On Sunday (April 18), the university proctor confirmed that the equipment arrived at the university. Mostafa Kamal. This morning, almost 11 months after the award was announced, these lab materials arrived on campus from Boston, USA.

According to university sources, the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Jagannath University received the Instrumental Access Award 2020 as the only university in Asia. Jagannath University has received this award for the first time from Bangladesh. The award was announced on May 26 last year in a press release published on the website of the Seeding Lab.

The program provides low-cost, high-quality scientific equipment for education and research to young scientists at universities in lower and middle-class countries. In this regard, the head of the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

Dilara Islam Sharif said, "Last year, a total of 16 universities from 10 countries won the award. We are the first university in Bangladesh to receive the award. The research equipment we have received will enable us to build a high quality lab, which is very important for biotechnological research." The equipment includes 2 PCR machines, laminar flow, minus 20 degree refrigerator and about 94 advanced research equipments.

Asked how much these materials would add to the research and students, he said, "Our department has been established for 4 years. A department cannot be completed in such a short time. What we could not teach students by hand will be possible.

Also our research environment. There will be expansion. There are different sectors of research from UGC and various organizations outside the country, we will be able to do those studies regularly. " Asked if the corona test could be performed on these PCR machines, he said, "There is still some kind of equipment needed for the corona test.

However, we do not have the kind of disinfection environment lab environment required for the corona test. We can do it. There are enough corona test centers in the country now. We want to research corona variants, as well as work on how to make vaccines to prevent them. Note that this award is given by a non-governmental organization called Seeding Lab of America.

The aim is to encourage young scientists in lower middle class countries to discover and research something new. It is learned that through this award, research equipment will be provided to 16 departments of 16 universities in 10 countries of the world. In addition, those who are nominated will have the opportunity to come in contact with other scientists in the global seeding lab.