BIO-EARN Milestones 1998-2005 Milestones In 1998-2005 the Programme worked towards building capacity in order to make use of and work towards overcoming the challenges of modern biotechnology and biosafety as well as towards promoting appropriate related policies under local conditions in the region. The Programme has been able to distinguish itself so far in combining several aspects of biotechnology development within one programme. The BIOEARN Programme was successful in securing long-term relations between East African research institutions and relevant institutions in Sweden and other European countries. Biotechnology capacity building Twenty BIO-EARN research projects undertaken by PhD students were completed. Some of the completed projects are listed below: Initial characterisation of coffee germplasm in Tanzania and Ethiopia assisting local breeding efforts and East African coffee production. Enset germplasm characterisation and development of a robust tissue culture protocol which will assist production of disease free enset and improve food security in Ethiopia. Hagenia germplasm characterisation and development of a robust tissue culture protocol facilitating rapid propagation of Hagenia and its contribution to soil conservation in Ethiopia. Characterisation and understanding of sweet potato virus diseases and resistance, facilitating production of disease free sweet potato and improved food security in East Africa.  Identification of cynogenic glucoside molecular markers and participatory breeding systems which may facilitate cassava breeding efforts and improve food security in East Africa. Characterisation of grey leaf spot fungus disease in maize which will facilitate disease diagnostics and future breeding for disease resistance and improved food security in East Africa.  Cloning cassava and sorghum starch branching enzymes which will enable future production of crops with altered starch composition, diversifying and adding value to East African agricultural production. Cloning genes involved in oil production in sesame enabling future production of oil crops with altered oil quality, diversifying and adding value to East African agricultural production. Development and optimisation of the biological treatment of selected waste water types in Ethiopia , Tanzania and Uganda improving water and environment quality in East Africa.  Initial protocol developed for biomethanation of organic refuse for production of biogas and fertiliser. Characterisation of extremozymes from extremophilic organisms in Kenya with potential value in local industrial processes.  Biosafety capacity building Three biosafety PhD projects on impact assessment of transgenic crops using crops relevant to East Africa has contributed to capacity building in  ecological risk assessment in the region. Individuals from countries (Ethiopia and Tanzania) which lacked biosafety regulatory structures were enabled to initiate and effectively participate in the development of regulatory structures in their countries through biosafety training workshops. The existing national biotechnology/biosafety frameworks were analysed and recommendations made for all network countries. BIO-EARN capacity building activities catalysed the formation of a national biotechnology/biosafety committee and an interim regulatory system in Tanzania.  Six MSc students were trained in ecological impact assessment and biosafety assessments, out of whom three continued for Ph.D. in impact assessment of transgenic crops (using crops relevant to East Africa) were developed. More than 120 regulatory scientists, scientists and policy makers were trained in biosafety risk assessment and risk management during national, regional biosafety workshops and international training courses which has facilitated the development and improvement of biosafety regulatory frameworks in the region. Compilation of crucial biological background information (Botanical files and gene files) to support local biosafety assessment was initiated. The botanical files and Gene Files will assist National Biosafety Committees (NBCs), Government officials and experts involved in handling notifications or requests for permits in making informed decisions on contained use, deliberate release or marketing of GMOs. East African scientists involved in the development of biological background information built their capacity in biosafety to serve as a roster of national experts to assess environmental risks with GMOs. A Resource Book on Implementation of Biosafety in East Africa to provide a tool for regional guidelines in biosafety implementation to scientists and national biosafety assessors was developed. The Resource Book was developed by a team of staff from National Science and Technology Councils/Commissions and other relevant institutions, which has enhanced the ability of these institutions to manage biosafety regulatory implementation. Biotechnology Policy Development Four national studies on product-development partnerships (PDPs) were initiated and carried out in 2002. The studies examined experiences, successes and failures from national R&D and technology delivery systems; Gaps, disincentives, obstacles for PDPs and technology diffusion were identified to serve as basis for reform to enhance a more efficient East African R&D and technology diffusion systems serving East African needs; A follow up of issues highlighted in the PDP case studies focusing on analysis of national policy framework for IP management, analysis of current practices and information collection on IP assets in selected BIO-EARN network institutions aimed at initiating development and or improvement of institutional IP management systems was done; The BIO-EARN programme has served as a conduit to feed in information, knowledge and ideas into the national and regional policy making arenas, thus supporting the formulation and implementation of polices related to the use biotechnology as a tool for R&D; Material Transfer Agreements (MTA's) for exchange of genetic resources between East Africa and Sweden were developed and signed for all PhD research projects. This has imparted skills to East African partners in designing MTA in agreements outside of the BIO-EARN programme. Regional Collaboration The BIO-EARN Programme through the BIO-EARN General Assembly and the various regional meetings/seminars have led to an increased communication between East African scientists, biosafety regulators and policy makers. For example, Tanzania has been greatly assisted by Ugandan and Kenyan regulatory officials in the development of the Tanzanian regulatory system. The ability to share experiences and discuss development issues has therefore strengthened the basis for scientific and policy collaboration in the region. The BIO-EARN Ph.D. students have developed close links with each other through common workshops and annual BIO-EARN student meetings, which has created a strong basis for future regional collaboration an important factor in the future of the programme. Programme co-ordination responsibilities were partly transferred from SEI to East Africa providing a basis for more active regional and national co-ordination during the Phase II of the Programme and beyond. The BIO-EARN programme has strengthened key East African R&D institutions by developing a platform for increased regional collaboration and information sharing between policy institutions (e.g. Science and Technology Councils) on key policy issues (e.g. biosafety implementation, public-private partnerships, IPR policies). Increasing the dialogue between policy makers and scientists As a consequence of BIO-EARN programme activities, East African researchers have been encouraged to communicate with high-level policy makers. A number of national awareness meetings has facilitated the dialogue between policy makers and scientists on how best to use biotechnology for development purposes. A BIO-EARN website, Newsletter and a BIO-EARN brochure have been used in information dissemination of Programme activities and provide information on biotechnology issues of key importance to the region.  Infrastructure capacity building in East African network institutions In an effort to build capacity and promote appropriate research in the East African countries, the BIO-EARN programme moved a long way in provision of infrastructure in the network institutions to enable PhD students continue with biotechnology research on returning to their home institutions. The programme has substantially contributed to the improvement of research infrastructure, equipment and stocking of consumables. Connectivity at all BIO-EARN Network institutions has been achived. This has not only greatly improved communication among the network members, but also access to information from the internet to keep abreast with new biotechnology developments in the world.

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