Two Kenyan scientists, Dr. Njue Mugai and Ms. Catherine Ngamau from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technoloty, visited Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University for carrying out collaborative researches (10 Aug. 2010 to 8 Oct. 2010).
During their stay in IPSR, Mr. Mugai studied on genetic resource to cope with the acidic soil problem, which is one of the main hardiness of agronomy in Kenya. Ms. Ngamau studied on endophytic bacteria in banana fruits.
We celebrated IPSR Kenya Day 2010 on 1st Oct. 2010. We had a symposium discussing about the fruitful results of collaboration with two Kenyan scientists and agronomical issues in Kenya.
My stay in Japan was from 10th August to 8th October 2010. I was hosted by
the Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University. I was
invited to conduct research on banana and rice endophytes in regard to their
potential as biological fertilizers. My invitation was courtesy of the
Asia-Africa Scientific Platform Program (AASPP) with the support of the
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). I was a beneficially of
the recently launched 3-year program on 'Establishment of Crop Stress
Science Network for Increase of Food Production in Eastern Africa'. I did my
research under the supervision of Assistant Professor Akio Tani, Biotec
Stress Unit, Group of Plant-Microbe Interactions. The two months in the lab
greatly enhanced my microbiology and molecular biology technical skills. I
also learned new techniques like microorganism profiling using
MALDI-TOF/MS/MS, separation of PCR-generated DNA products using Denaturing
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), and processing/assembling and analyzing
of DNA sequences. I also participated in the weekly lab meetings organized
by the Biotec Stress Unit under the leadership of Prof. Nobuhiro Suzuki. The
lab meetings were very informative and educative, it was a place of
sharpening each others scientific knowledge and application. On the 1st of
October, Profs. Yoko Yamamoto and Wataru Sakamoto on behalf of JSPS-AASPP
program organized a IPSR Kenya Day at the Institute whose theme was 'Joint
Research in Plant Science', where I presented on 'Prospecting for a
biofertilizer in banana endophytic bacteria in Kenya'. The BBQ party at the
close of the day was very good. It was a great honor for me to be served by
non other than the Institute's director. I also got opportunities to visit
Okayama and Kyoto, which was very interesting for me. I greatly enjoyed the
times of eating together as a team. My greatest challenge was language
especially outside the institute. I also had challenges sitting on the floor
carpet during meals time. In general the visit was productive and I felt
well received and supported. The two months of research at IPSR has added a
lot of value to my PhD studies. My sincere appreciation goes to all those
who made it possible for me and my colleague Mugai san. to visit IPSR.
