Multidisciplinary Applications and Advances in Biotechnology

Benjamin Ewa Ubi Ph.D., is a Professor of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and currently serves as the President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN). Sylvia Uzochukwu is a professor of Food Science and Technology and Dean at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti. Emeka Godfrey Nwoba, Ph.D. is a research scholar at Algae R &D Centre, Murdoch University, Australia. Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology at the Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Edo University Iyamho (EUI), Edo State, Nigeria.Nwadiuto Esiobu, Ph.D. is Professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA; and President & Founder, Applied Biotech Inc. and ABINL.Professor Olawole Obembe, received his Ph..D from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. His research interest include ethnopharmacology, in vitro conservation and micro-propagation of endangered (medicinal) plants, production of bio-pharmaceutics and industrial proteins in plants, quantitative trait loci analysis and genome-wide association studies. Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Ph.D. is an agricultural biotechnologist with experience and skills on plant biotechnology stewardship, stakeholder engagement, foresight analysis, development of transgenic crops, laboratory and field management of GM crops, biosafety analysis, adoption and discontinuation of events. Emmanuel Olufemi Ekundayo currently works at the Department of Microbiology/Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Arinze Stanley Okoli, Ph.D.: is an Associate Professor at Genoek - Centre for Biosafety, Universitetet II, Breivika, Tromsoe, Norway. Abubakar Gidado, Ph.D. is a professor of Biochemistry and Director North-East Zonal Biotechnology Centre of Excellence (NEZBCE) at University of Maiduguri. Prof. Hajia Mairo Inuwa, is currently Director, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University. Professor Ifeoma Maureen Ezeonu, B.Sc. (Nig.), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Atlanta) is a Professor of Medical Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in the Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and currently the Director of the University of Nigeria Central Science Laboratory. Christpeace Nwagbo Ezebuiro, Ph.D. is a Project Manager, Renewable Energy Expert and Head of Clean Technology Division at the National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.James Chukwuma Ogbonna, Ph.D. is the Director, National Biotechnology Development Agency, South East Zonal Biotechnology Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Nigeria Nsukka. Akinola R. Popoola, Ph.D. is a Professor of Plant Pathology and the Director, Biotechnology Centre, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

• Volume 1: Fermentation and Algal Biotechnologies for the Food, Beverage and Other Bioproduct Industries. Part 1: Working Group 01: Dairy and Fermented Foods. 1. Improving Traditionally Fermented African Foods Through Biotechnology - Need to translate art to science. 2. Indigenous fermented and underutilized /novel foods with potentials for combating malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. 3. Biotechnologies / fermentation technologies for large-scale industrial enzyme production for the food and beverage industry. 4. Recent Advances in Dairy Industries: Monitoring, Standard, Quality and Process. 5. Soy-based Food Products Consumed in Africa: A Panacea to mitigate Food Insecurity and Health Challenges. 6. Nutritional and Health Benefits of Nutraceutical Beverages Derived from Cocoa and other Caffeine Products: Comprehensive review. 7. Strategies For Yeast Strain Improvement Through Metabolic Engineering. 8. The role of an intelligent feedback control system in the standardization of bio-fermented food products. Part 2: Working Group 3: Microalgae and novel products. 9. Algae biotechnology for novel foods. 10. Microalgae biotechnology research and development opportunities in Nigeria. 11. Emerging eco- and bio-technologies in the use of algal biomass for biofuels and high-value products. 12. African mushrooms as functional foods and nutraceuticals: A review of their farm to fork perspectives. Volume 2: Agricultural biotechnology, biodiversity and bio-resources conservation and utilization. Part 1: Crop Genetics, Breeding & Genomics. 1. Biotechnology As A Tool For Agricultural Revolution In Developing Nations: Current Status And Bottlenecks In Nigeria. 2. Advances On Engineering Cassava For Food And Nutrition Security In 21st Century. 3. Current and Future Advances in Genomics-Assisted Cassava Breeding. 4. Genome Engineering: A New Frontier For Improving Root And Tuber Crops. 5. Development And Commercialization Of Bt-Cowpea In Nigeria: Implication For National Development. 6. Progress In The Development Of Bio-Fortified Sorghum In Nigeria: Implications For Food And Nutrition Security. 7. Strategies For The Production Of Disease-Free Yam Planting Materials – Implications For Improved Yam Production In Nigeria. 8. Engineering Pests And Disease Resistance In Crops: From RNA Interference To RNA Editing. 9. Engineering Crops For Resistance To Pests And Diseases: Necessity For Crop Improvement Through Accurate Genomic Resources And Phenotyping. 10. Molecular Diagnostics For Plant Viruses Towards Enhanced Delivery Of Disease-Free Planting Materials And Germplasm Exchange. 11. Recent Advances In Molecular Techniques For The Enhancement Of Crop Production. Part 2: Animal Genetics, Breeding & Genomics. 12. Genetic Intervention In Sustainable Livestock Production. 13. Development Of Improved Indigenous Chickens (Funaab Alpha) For Smallholder Poultry Production In Nigeria. 14. Biotechnology Applications In Livestock Production. 15. Enabling Environment For Uptake Of Biotechnological Innovations For Livestock Production In Africa. 16. Biothermoimaging Tools For Management Of Climate Smart And Precision Livestock Assisted Reproduction. Part 3: Genetic Resources Conservation & Enchancement. 17. Securing The Genetic Base Of Indigenous Food Plants: Their Role In Promoting Sustainable Food Systems. 18. Biotechnology-Aided Sustainable Use Of Nigeria’s Biodiversity For Improved Nutrition And Health. 19. Utilizing Plant Genetic Resources To Develop Climate Resilient Crops. 20. Biodiversity And Genetic Resources Conservation In Nigeria. 21. Biotechnological Approaches For Genetic Resources Conservation And Use. Volume 3: Medical Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutics, Forensic Science and Bioinformatics. Part 1: Working Group 04: Molecular Diagnostics and DNA Forensics. 1. Principles and Techniques for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Manipulation. 2. Forensic DNA profiling and molecular identification of infectious pathogens: The Nigeria experience. 3. DNA markers in forensic and diagnostic science. 4. Legal standards setting in the use of Forensics DNA Barcode: Evidence for wildlife crime detection and prosecution in Nigeria. Part 2: Working Group 07: Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 5. Harnessing Indigenous Bioresources for Development of Diagnostics for Detection and Confirmation of Infectious agents in Nigeria. 6. Antibiotic Resistance: Global Trends, Impact And Mitigation. 7. Safeguarding Nigeria Territory from the use of antibiotic resistant microbes in bioterrorism. 8. Deep Learning and Economic Prospects in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 9. Health and Nutritional benefits of numerous bioactive components derived from fish and fish products. 10. Repositioning antiviral drugs as a rapid and cost-effective approach to discover treatment against SARS-CoV-2 infection. 11. Corn Silk and Health Benefits. 12. Bioengineering of Pharmacologically-Active Metabolites for Effective Drug Nano Formulations from the Callus of Medicinal Plants and their Significant Application in Nanomedicine: Recent Advances. Part 3: Omics and Bioinformatics. 13. Bioinformatics: a tool for biotechnological advancement. 14. Role of Nucleotide Sequence Analysis in Human Genetics and Genomics. 15. Application of Computational and bioinformatics techniques in drug repurposing for effective development of potential drug candidate for the management of COVID-19. 16. Computational Intelligence Techniques for Combating COVID 19. 17. Machine learning and behavior modification for COVID 19. Part 4: Working Group 12: Medicinal and Underutilized Plants. 18. Underutilized plant species, a huge potential for economic development in Nigeria. 19. The place of neglected legumes in human nutrition and food security. 20. Antiprotozoal Activity of medicinal plants against Entamoebahistolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis. 21. Harnessing benefits of underutilized Plant Species for Economic Growth in Nigeria. Part 5: Working Group 13: Medical Insect Biotechnology, Genomics and Molecular Genetics of pests. 22. Exploiting Arthropod midgut components for development of interventions against infectious diseases. 23. Genome-based Vector Surveillance for Effective Prediction and Control of Mosquito-Borne Viral Disease Outbreaks in Nigeria. Volume 4: Biosafety and Bioethics in Biotechnology. Part 1: Biosafety, Bioethics and Legal Issues in Biotechnology. 1, Status of Nigeria’s Biosafety Regulation. 2. CRISPR / Cas9: Regulatory Considerations to Ensure Safety of Gene-Edited Products in Nigeria. 3. Regulating Gene-Edited Products in Nigeria. 4. Emerging Technologies: Can African Regulator Take a Lead on Transgenic Mosquito Regulation. 5, Bioethics: Principles and Practice in The Face of Modern Technology. Part 2: Biotechnology Policy Advocacy, Enlightenment and Public Engagement with Stakeholders / Policy Makers. 6. Science Communication in Agricultural Biotechnology and Public Engagement with Stakeholders in Nigeria. 7. Biotechnology Development in Nigeria: Meeting Critical Developmental Needs. 8. Communicating Scientific Innovations: The Case of Agricultural Biotechnology in Nigeria. 9. Review of Biotechnology Policies and Regulatory Frameworks. Part 3: Biotechnology Education and Curriculum Development. 10. Current status of Biotechnology Manpower Development in Nigeria. 11. Strategies Towards Enhancing Biotechnology Training in Nigeria. 12. Challenge of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) in Technological Development of Nigeria. Volume 5: Microbiomes and Emerging Applications. 1. Microbiomes. the next frontiers in medicine, Agriculture, Industry and Environment. 2. Microbial Biotechnology. Expanding the Frontiers Of Microbiomes for Innovations In Agriculture. 3. Microbiome and Metagenomics Research in Nigeria. Evolution, Current Status and Prospects. 4. Microbiome Composition and Development in Human. 5. Microbiota Transplantation, Health Implications and the Way Forward. 6. Microbiome Reshaping and Epigenetics. 7. Probiotic Research Studies in Nigeria / Canada, that Led to the Discovery of Lactobacillus pentosus KCA1. 8. The Need for Probiotics in Nigeria. 9. A Brief Review of Earth Microbiomes and Applications. Volume 6: Bioenergy and environmental biotechnology for sustainable development. Part 1: Waste Recycling, Biofuels and Environmental Remediation. 1. Indigenous Production of Bio-Enhancement Formulations for Environmental Clean Up. 2. Bio-Resources Utilization in Fostering a Low-Carbon Renewable Energy – Based Economy. 3. Bioenergy, Feedstock, Process Enhancement and System Designs. 4. Enhancements in Plant Processes for Sustainable Remediation of Degraded Environments. 5. Environmental Reclamation in Nigeria: Past, Present and Future. 6. The Role of Microorganisms in Curbing Plastic and Petrochemical Menace. Part 2: Water and Wastewater Recycling Research. 7. New Insights into Chlorine Disinfectant Usage in Water Quality: A Need for Review of Existing Guidelines. 8. Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Using Microalgae.