Science & Tech
A molecular biologist, Dr Ruth Zigabe, says biotechnology remains central to advancing vaccines, improving diagnostics and strengthening disease control systems in Nigeria.
She said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Abuja on Monday.
Zigabe explained that modern vaccine development relied heavily on biotechnology tools, including genetic engineering, which enables faster identification of pathogens and targeted immune responses.
She said that technologies such as messenger RNA mRNA platforms have revolutionised vaccine production, allowing scientists to design and deploy vaccines rapidly during outbreaks and emerging health emergencies.
“mRNA is a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to the cell’s protein-making machinery, where those instructions are used to build proteins,’’ she said.
According to her, biotechnology also enhances diagnostics through molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction PCR , which detect pathogens with high sensitivity and accuracy, even at early stages of infection.
She said that rapid diagnostic kits developed through biotech innovations had improved disease surveillance, especially in resource-limited settings where timely detection is critical.
“Biotechnology plays a vital role in disease control by enabling genomic surveillance, helping experts track mutations and understand transmission patterns of infectious diseases,’’ Zigabe said.
She further said that such insights guide public health decisions, including vaccination strategies and containment measures, thereby reducing the spread of diseases.
The expert, therefore, stressed the need for increased investment in biotechnology infrastructure and local capacity to ensure that Nigeria could respond effectively to health threats.
Zigabe called for stronger collaboration and the government, research institutions, and private-sector players to harness biotechnology for sustainable healthcare development.
She said that embracing biotechnology would not only improve health outcomes but also position Nigeria as a key player in global biomedical innovation.
She highlighted the importance of public awareness about biotechnology, noting that misinformation about it could hinder vaccine acceptance and uptake across communities.
Zigabe urged policymakers to prioritise funding for local vaccine research and manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports and improve national health security.
She added that strengthening regulatory frameworks would ensure safety, build public trust, and encourage innovation within Nigeria’s growing biotechnology ecosystem NAN
A. A
APR. 13, 2026
Tags: Abuja DNA PCR RNA ZIGABE