UNILORIN Research Group Wins $1.6 Million Grant for Antibiotics alternative
UNILORIN Research Group Wins $1.6 Million Grant for Antibiotics alternative
By AmforGod J. Olisa
The University of Ilorin’s research group, Innovative Veterinary Solutions For AntiMicrobial Resistance (INNOVET-AMR) 2, has secured a grant worth 1.6 million Canadian Dollars (approximately N1.712 billion) to develop innovative solutions for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-producing animals.
This significant grant was awarded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, as reported in the university’s news bulletin.
During a visit to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), the leader of the research team, Dr. Ismail Ayoade Odetokun, announced that the team will collaborate with researchers from Spain’s Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) and the Royal Holloway University of London, UK. Their joint effort will focus on developing a bacteriocin-rich extract (BRE) as a potential alternative to antibiotics.
The research team includes notable members such as Professor Ibrahim Adisa Raufu, Director of UNILORIN Veterinary Teaching Hospital, alongside Professor Wasiu Jimoh, Dr. Ismail Adeyemo, Dr. Basiru Afisu, Dr. Aremu Abdulfatai, and Dr. Olayiwola Akeem Ahmed, all from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Their project, titled “Bacteriocin-rich Extract from Engineered Lactic Acid Bacteria as an Antibiotic Alternative for Therapeutic and Prophylactic Use in Ruminants and Aquaculture (BAC4RumA),” aims to investigate the effectiveness and economic benefits of BRE as a treatment and preventive measure against bacterial infections in livestock and aquaculture.
Dr. Odetokun highlighted that the project aims not only to develop a patentable product but also to recruit four postgraduate students and engage in capacity-building initiatives throughout the 32-month project duration.
Reacting to this development, Vice-Chancellor Professor Egbewole expressed delight at the team’s achievement and encouraged them to maintain the university’s standard of excellence.
He stated that the research has the potential to pave the way for future advancements and collaborations for UNILORIN. Professor Egbewole also emphasized that the grant represents a significant stride in UNILORIN’s research efforts and holds promise for developing a novel approach to combat AMR, a growing threat to global public health.
