Scientist who changed genetics

By Harold Ayodo

He was a postdoctoral researcher at the Medical Research Council in 1973 when he invented a method of detecting subtle DNA differences among individuals.

Within seven years, Prof Edwin Southern’s technique had been exploited by other scientist to develop a way of distinguishing all humans — except for those who are genetically identical — from each other.

The procedure, known as the Southern blot, is now routinely used to pinpoint mutations associated with inherited diseases and this has allowed prenatal diagnosis of diseases such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia.

Prof Edwin Southern.

Southern’s revolutionary discovery transformed genetics and earned him many accolades and he went on to make other contributions in the biochemistry including nurturing young scientist in the area of biochemistry and biotechnology.

plant breeding

At 71, the professor of biochemistry at the University of Oxford visited Kenya last month where he supports several plant breeding projects. During his visit he inspected two projects at Moi University School of Agriculture and Biotechnology funded by his firm Kirkhouse Trust.

He arrived from the UK on a Friday morning accompanied by two aides, flew to Eldoret before flying back home the same evening.

Southern supervises a five-year research project on the Dolichos lablab (Black Bean) whose principal researcher is Prof Miriam Kinyua and a French Bean project led by Prof Henk Van Rheenen. " We intend to produce hardy, and disease and drought resistant varieties," Kiplagat says.

The project began with Prof Kinyua writing a proposal on improvement of the black bean in Kenya that caught the eye of micro biologist.

Six researchers are involved with the project including two plant breeders, an entomologist, pathologist, seed technologist and a biochemist.

Southern donated Sh20 million for the research for the past two years and pledged Sh30 million for the remaining three years. "The project should be complete in three years," Kiplagat says. Southern also donated 40 computers for research and a vehicle to support the Black Bean project, and Sh10 million to equip the biotechnology laboratory at Moi University.

Biotechnology

"He also supports seven postgraduate plant breeding and biotechnology students," Kiplagat says.

During the visit Southern said local scientists were making major contributions agriculture.In the 1980s when he arrived at Oxford University he developed another analysis method called the DNA microaray.