The Plant Science Group (PSG) of the Wageningen University and the Research centre in The Netherlands has donated assorted used laboratory and office equipment to the Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science and technology (KNUST) in Ghana.The donation was made under Laboratory and Office Equipment Transfer Initiative (LOETI) in support of the project initiated by Dr. Peter Twumasi, of the Departments of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and Food Science and Technology of the Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Dr. Peter Twumasi was formally, a PHD/MSc student of Wageningen University and Research Centre and currently a Lecturer/Researcher at KNUST at Molecular Biology Laboratory of Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.
The items received included the following: Double-Bench Interflow Laminar flow hood, Gallenkamp Oribital shaker, ULTRASONIC Washer (for cleaning glasswares and vials), SCOTSMAN Ice machine (for producing ice crystals), Double Decker Riestra Rotary shaker, Petridish for Tissue culture ,-20oC BOSCH Economic freezer, Mobile stage for carting lab materials, CRYOSTAT Liquid Nitrogen ,Light Microscopes, Sealing machine (for sealing of freeze dried samples), CONSORT microcomputer pH machine (for pH, temperature and electric potential), EPPENDORF Benchtop centrifuge, Magnetic stirrer Hotplate Combo (for magnetic stirring and heating), Milli-Q Water Sytem (for deionizing water), Whirlimixer voltex machine (for viltex solutions), Laboratory swivel chairs, White boards (for writing on using a felt-tipped pen), Notice Boards, Mobile flipchart (for writing and presentations), MARIUS INSTRUMENT Incubator (for incubation of reaction samples and microbes at -10 to 60 oC temperature range) ULTRASONIC II spectrophotometer (model 4050 capable of UV and Visible spec)., CLIFTON waterbath with shaker, Glass centrifuge tubes (centrifuge tubes of various sizes).Rotary vacuum evaporator (for extraction and purification of solvents with lower boiling points), Spectrophotometer MODEL 340, Dessicator (for preserving moisture-sensitive items).
Table top Centrifuge, Analytical balances, Elbanton maxi-Oven (for bulk sample drying), Leaf Area meter (for measuring area of leaves and flat objects), LABCONCO HSC10KA Freeze Dryer (for drying frozen samples), SAVANT Speedfuge Centrifuge, HERAEUS Centrifuge, Benchtop ovens (HORO brands), Benchtop incubators (HORO, ENRET and HERAEUS brands), EPPENDORF Micropipettes (from 1ul – 5000 ul capacity), KNAUER Semi-micro Osmometer (for measuring osmotic potential of biosamples), Magnetic stirrer (no heater), GeneQuant II (for DNA/RNA calculation, estimation of nucleic acid sequence, and detection of protein contamination) and printer, ROTON TORQUE Heavy duty rotator/mixer (for gentle mixing and agitation of reaction samples), CONSORT Electrophorectic power system, HOEFER DNA Fluorometer, SIGMA 201M centrifuge, Growth chamber (PHYTOTRON).Chemical cabinets, Glassware and disposable materials (beakers, pipettes, conical and flat bottom flasks, condensers, tissue culture glass plates, etc), PCR machines, Benchtop centrifuge, Office swivel chairs, Adjustable office desks, Pressure pump, Glass washing machine, Microbicide lamp, Conference roundtable and chairs, Conference chairs (metal with woolen seats), Plastic chairs, Arm chairs, Classroom chairs (metal with wooden seats), KUBOTA KS-5600P Centrifuge, SAVANT Speedvac Concentrator (centrifuge equipped with heater for concentrating solutions in Eppendorf tubes), Mettler Infrared dryer (for mild drying bio-samples), Leitz Wetzlar Microtome and knives (for sectioning of fixed specimen for microscopic analyses), HETTICH Universal Centrifuge, Benchtop 749FY Centrifuge.
Professor Aboagye Menyah, the provost of the College of Science and other Officials expressed their gratitude to the Wageningen University and called on other Organisations for Collaborations.
Commenting on the benefits of the equipment to the University, the Provost said it will aid in the Teaching of Molecular Biology/ Biotech and Food Science and Technology for Practical training of BSc/ MSc/PHD studies.It will also help in research area of plant cells and Tissue Culture, Molecular Biology, Micro and Food Science Technology as well as Project Students and Researchers in the College of Science.
