In January 2008 connectivity between the Research and Education Communities in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa was established with a 1 Gbps between the UbuntuNet Alliance and GÉANT.
Burundi , Congo, People's Republic Of , Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda
Contact Persons
Principal Coordinator: Ermias Dagne, African Laboratory for Natural Products
Main/Partner organisations
1. Uganda (Prof B. Kiremire, Makerere University and Dr Grace Nambatya, NCRL Ministry of Health of Uganda) 2. Rwanda: (Dr J. B. Nduwyezu, Director IRST) 3. Ethiopia (Prof. E. Dagne, Addis Ababa University) 4. DR Congo (Prof D. T. Kalenda, University of Kinshasa) and 5. Burundi: (Dr. J. Bukuru: University of Burundi)
Contact Details
ALNAP, Department of Chemistry, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 30270, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Fax: 251-1-551244;
E-mail: edagne@ethionet.et
Objectives and short summary of activities
To open doors of our respective laboratories to share resources and facilities
To engage in joint and collaborative projects for mutual benefit
To develop medicinal and aromatic plant gardens
To develop natural products for medicinal and cosmetic use
To jointly organize training programs for researchers and technicians
To exchange information and develop natural products databases
Target/Beneficiary community
Technology used, standards and services employed
Research activities carried and out and scientific data generated
Principal outcomes and documentation (plus link to case studies)
Workshops and Short Courses: The 1st ALNAP Workshop was organized in Uganda in the Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory (NCRL) in July 2007. Over 30 participants from different institutions in Uganda, three from Burundi and two from Ethiopia took part. Professor Ermias Dagne (Ethiopia) and Dr Norbert Arnold (Germany) served as resources persons. Dr Peter Sundin, Director of IPICS observed the workshop. The 2nd Workshop was held at Addis Ababa University in July 2008 and was attended by three participants from Uganda, one from Burundi, and several from Ethiopia. The 3rd workshop also took place in Addis Ababa during February 2009 and was attended by young aspiring scientists, one each from Uganda and Rwanda and four participants from newly opened universities in Ethiopia. The 4th Workshop is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa during September 2009.
Exchange of Researchers: This scheme helps young staff to spend time in collaborating laboratories. Two staff of NCRL Mr Patrick Ogwang and Mr Geresome Mugisha visited the Laboratory in Addis in June 2009 to work on their own research topics.
The ALNAP Database: There are many databases that compile information on natural products and medicinal plants. However, a large body of knowledge that is generated in Africa is not included in these databases. The main aim of the ALNAP Databases is therefore to scan and enter into the database information from scientific journals, proceedings, monographs, books, dissertations etc that deal with the biology, chemistry, ethno botany, and pharmacology of African plants. The information can, when needed, be generated through a quick search, which can be saved, printed or transferred via e-mail. The entries in the literature database now exceed 25,000. Other databases with graphic information on phytochemical constituents are under preparation.
Analytical Services: The Laboratory in Addis Ababa receives frequent requests for measurements of NMR spectra on extracts and isolated compounds. The Laboratory in Makerere University is in good position to give gc-ms service. The Laboratory of Prof Kalenda in the DRC has excellent HPLC facilities. IRST in Rwanda has experience on large scale production of bio-ethanol and essential oils.
Other potential application areas/ actual spillovers
