ITSIBIO today announced that Nigerian Defence Headquarters Research and Development leaders, Major Gen BT Obasa (Chief, Research & Development) and Air Vice Marshall A Badeh (Director of Research) and Dr Richard I. Somiari (President & CSO) ITSI – Biosciences, LLC toured the Nigerian Armed Forces DNA Bank at Mogadishu Barracks, in Abuja, Nigeria. ITSI Biosciences is helping the Nigerian DHQ develop a Genvault technology based DNA bank capable of banking DNA from 100,000 military personnel. A total of 6 AFDB personnel are currently undergoing DNA banking and analysis training at ITSI Biosciences, Johnstown PA. As part of the training, the AFDB personnel have also spent time at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, Cybergenetics, Pittsburgh, US Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), Rockville, MD. The visit was to assess the readiness of the facility to receive the trainees who will return to Nigeria in April 2010.
Picture Legend: Nigerian DHQ Research & Development leaders and ITSI representative visit the Armed Forces DNA bank in Abuja, Nigeria. From right: Maj Gen BT Obasa (Chief Research & Development, DHQ), Richard I. Somiari, PhD (President & CSO, ITSI Biosciences) and AVM Badeh (Director of Research, DHQ)