As part of efforts aimed at strengthening Parkinson’s Disease research, training, and genomics capacity in the country and across Africa, the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi-Araba, Lagos, recently commissioned the GP2–CMUL Molecular Laboratory.

The commissioning, which took place at the KAARC Building, CMUL, was preceded by a pre-commissioning seminar held at the Old Great Hall of the College.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Aligning Science (CAS) and Managing Portfolio Director of Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), Dr Ekemini Riley, disclosed that the laboratory would enable DNA extraction and biobanking, genetic analysis, and provide support to cutting-edge research.

Principal Investigator of the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Programme (GP2) at CMUL, Prof. Njideka Okubadejo, described the laboratory as a critical platform for advancing molecular and genetic research on Parkinson’s Disease within Africa.

According to her, the newly commissioned facility will serve as an automated DNA extraction and biobanking laboratory while also offering internships, training, and hands-on research experience for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the college.

“We have just commissioned a molecular laboratory funded through the GP2 initiative in collaboration with the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP). The facility is open to our students and researchers for internships, training, and exposure to molecular biology processes,” Okubadejo said.

She added that the GP2 initiative is actively involved in research collaboration, capacity building, community engagement, and research development, with a focus on improving understanding of Parkinson’s disease in underrepresented regions.