Latest News Archive
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2022-01-28 |
Prof Smit elected as member of prestigious American Association for Thoracic Surgery |
2022-01-28 |
Prof Smit elected as member of prestigious American Association for Thoracic Surgery |
2022-01-28 |
Opinion: Ramaphosa vs Sisulu scold war: Winning hearts and minds of constituents |
2022-01-28 |
Opinion: Ramaphosa vs Sisulu scold war: Winning hearts and minds of constituents |
2022-01-27 |
“I will never stop creating,” says filmmaker, Mpendulo Myeni |
2022-01-27 |
“I will never stop creating,” says filmmaker, Mpendulo Myeni |
2022-01-27 |
UFS made steady progress in its research performance over the past five years |
2022-01-27 |
UFS made steady progress in its research performance over the past five years |
2022-01-26 |
UFS extends its condolences on the passing of Theological giant, Prof Jaap Durand |
2022-01-26 |
UFS extends its condolences on the passing of Theological giant, Prof Jaap Durand |
2022-01-26 |
UFS proud of remarkable 2021 Free State NSC matric results |
2022-01-26 |
UFS proud of remarkable 2021 Free State NSC matric results |
2022-01-24 |
Dr Bekithemba Dube advancing decoloniality agenda beyond African borders |
2022-01-24 |
Dr Bekithemba Dube advancing decoloniality agenda beyond African borders |
2022-01-21 |
New Director for Innovation and Contracts ready to engage and support researchers |
2022-01-21 |
New Director for Innovation and Contracts ready to engage and support researchers |
2022-01-20 |
UFS United Kingdom Chapter aims to reconnect with alumni |
2022-01-20 |
UFS United Kingdom Chapter aims to reconnect with alumni |
2022-01-20 |
Mercia Geises – from UFS student to Chief Executive of Standard Bank Namibia |
2022-01-20 |
Mercia Geises – from UFS student to Chief Executive of Standard Bank Namibia |
2022-01-20 |
Multilingualism initiatives gaining momentum |
2022-01-20 |
Multilingualism initiatives gaining momentum |
2022-01-19 |
Yes, Mmusi, but all begins with reconfiguring the South African curriculum |
2022-01-19 |
Yes, Mmusi, but all begins with reconfiguring the South African curriculum |
2022-01-18 |
MBA at 73 – more to come for Prof Andries Stulting |
2022-01-18 |
MBA at 73 – more to come for Prof Andries Stulting |
2022-01-10 |
Miratho project finds universities could do more to enable black working-class students to participate and succeed |
2022-01-10 |
Miratho project finds universities could do more to enable black working-class students to participate and succeed |
2022-01-13 |
Zondo Commission findings: A permanent change in SA politics |
2022-01-13 |
Zondo Commission findings: A permanent change in SA politics |
2022-01-10 |
How UFS research assists teachers in identifying children who need developmental help |
2022-01-10 |
How UFS research assists teachers in identifying children who need developmental help |
2022-01-03 |
Magic mushrooms, a first formal study |
2022-01-03 |
Magic mushrooms, a first formal study |
2022-01-03 |
A passion for excellence |
2022-01-03 |
A passion for excellence |
2022-01-03 |
UFS implements interventions to increase diversity of researchers |
2022-01-03 |
UFS implements interventions to increase diversity of researchers |
2022-01-10 |
Dr Mpumelelo Ncube driven by the need to succeed and inspire |
2022-01-10 |
Dr Mpumelelo Ncube driven by the need to succeed and inspire |
2022-01-03 |
Aoate Tsimatsima leads student-sourcing antibiotic discovery network |
2022-01-03 |
Aoate Tsimatsima leads student-sourcing antibiotic discovery network |
UFS receives R3,284 million to research biosafety of genetically modified crops
2009-03-17
A testing facility at the University of the Free State (UFS), which is the only one of its kind in South Africa and a leader in its field in Africa, has received a grant of R3,284 million from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) to do research on the biosafety of genetically modified crops in South Africa.
Prof. Chris Viljoen of the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Testing Facility at the UFS says the grant forms part of a collaborative agreement between South Africa and Norway on the biosafety of GMOs.
The grant also makes provision for two M.Sc. bursaries as well as a regional biosafety workshop.
The research will focus on gene flow between genetically modified (GM) maize and non-GM maize and the potential impact thereof on the development of insect resistance.
Prof. Viljoen, who is head of Human Molecular Biology in the Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, says it is an honour to be selected to take part in the project and is groundbreaking in terms of GM maize on the environment. The project was initiated in 2009 and will run until the end of 2010.
The multi-institutional research include partners from the UFS, research groups from the University of North-West, the University of Fort Hare as well as SANBI and GenØk, the Norwegian centre for Gene Ecology. The GMO Testing Facility at the UFS was established in 2003 to perform routine GM detection for grain and food products in South Africa. The activities also include research into GM detection and biosafety of GM crops.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
17 March 2009
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Prof. Chris Viljoen of the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Testing Facility at the UFS.
Photo: Supplied |
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