Activities for 2025
With the financial support of the University of Potsdam, Germany, we were able to run a series of activities in September, 2025, as part of the activities under this project. Specifically, we did the following:
1. Held a hands-on training course on Molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics analysis for post graduate students of University of Eldoret, at the Fish Genetics and Genomics training laboratory. The training was facilitated by a team of collaborators from the University of Potsdam (Prof. Dr. Ralph Tiedemann, Dr. Feng Cheng and Anja Ernst). DNA extraction and quantification, as well as determination of purity via gel electrophoresis. PCR reactions were carried out at the lab. Data analysis using a suit of analytical software was mounted and individualized guidance provided to each trainee. These were interspersed with some lecture sessions, for theoretical perspectives and understanding.
Ms. Anja Ernst demonstrating some activities during the hands-on practical session at the Fish Genetics and Genomics laboratory, University of Eldoret.
Anja Ernst, Ralph Tiedemann and Feng Cheng with some of the trainees at the laboratory.
2. Carried out field expedition to Lake Turkana at Kalokol, Kenya, to collect live samples of Nile tilapia from the lake. We did this together with a team from the Kenya Marine and Research Institute (KMFRI) Kalokol station, under the leadership of Mr. Malala and Mr. Obiero.
The team on the motor boat in Lake Turkana during the fishing expedition
Fishing for Nile tilapia fry in lake Turkana
LR: James Barasa, Anja Ernst, Feng Cheng, Purity Mukhongo (MSc student, Mbarara University of Science and Technology) and Ralph Tiedemann on the beach, Lake Turkana after collection of live tilapias
3. After the exercise, Ms. Purity Mukhongo, an alumnus of the University of Eldoret, was able to travel to Potsdam, to join Ralph Tiedemann’s lab team for her MSc thesis research stay. During this Fellowship, she will perform laboratory analysis on Kenyan tilapia samples for some aspects of sex determining loci. Her research work at Potsdam is supported by the DAAD, after which she will go back to Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda, to complete her studies.
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