Pwani University Biosciences Research Centre (PUBReC)

Pwani University (PU), in collaboration and partnership with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) – Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), established the Pwani University Biosciences Research Centre (PUBReC) with funding from the Wellcome Trust (UK) organization. The centre was launched in November, 2017. As a university based-research centre, PUBReC aims to consolidate and synergize research activities under one roof with two major missions:

^{(i) To carry out high quality bioscience research that informs the development of interventions against the factors causing under-development in Kenya and especially the coast region, and}

^{(ii) To provide high quality training for the next generation of bioscience research leaders.}

Locally and internationally funded research projects that are ongoing at PUBReC include: green enzyme technology (industrial application of microbial enzymes), vaccine development, drugs, diagnostics and control tools for human and zoonotic diseases that are endemic to the coast and eastern Africa region, harnessing the potential of marine microorganisms as a source for commercial products and biomarkers for pollution as well as developing methods of improving productivity and understanding genetic diversity of coastal and regional crops such as cassava, finger millet, coconut, baobab, solanum and amaranth. The centre currently has a well-established molecular and cell biology laboratory, with capacity for genetic engineering, (e.g gene editing using CRISPR-CAS) and has recently received the MinION portable sequencer with Field Kit through a research project funded by Global Challenges Research Fund (UK) in collaboration with the University of Nottingham. In addition, PUBReC received an infrastructure grant award of KES 45 M from the National Research Fund (NRF), to help complete the establishment of the centre by including an animal house, insectary, greenhouse/growth room, additional High Performance Computing and molecular biology equipment.

The centre also provides a great platform for undergraduate student attachments, postgraduate and postdoctoral research projects, school visits and short term trainings such as Golden Gate Cloning and AFriPlant Sci workshops, that have been held in collaboration with the John Innes Centre (UK).