Fiorella Palmieri
Hector Jara
The content of this news item has been machine translated and may contain some inaccuracies with respect to the original content published in Spanish.
For several years, PUCP has been conducting research in disciplines associated with the health and life sciences. To consolidate this approach, the Institute of Omic Sciences and Applied Biotechnology (Icoba) was created in 2017. This is a research centre where studies and technological developments are carried out for the pharmaceutical, biochemical, environmental and agro-industrial sectors, among other areas.
In order to present its research after four years of work, Icoba has launched its website. On this site you can find the 15 R+D+i projects, 20 academic publications and 4 supported theses that seek to contribute new knowledge for technological innovation.
"We want to promote Icoba's work in the national and international scientific community," says Dr. Fanny Casado, the institute's director. She points out that its three laboratories have equipment for PUCP projects and research carried out in collaboration with other institutions. "We also work with companies that seek to enhance the value of Peru's biodiversity," she emphasises.
For Dr Alfredo Ibáñez, researcher and former director of Icoba, one of the most important tasks they carry out is the transfer of knowledge to students from different disciplines.
"We want to promote Icoba's work in the national and international scientific community".
Director of Icoba
"The Icoba has the advantage of bringing together researchers from PUCP and foreign institutions, as it allows professors to use high-end equipment for their projects," says Ibáñez. Students can even develop projects to improve the technological capabilities of companies.
That is why, for the scientist, it is important that teachers involve students in their research. "For example, we have two female students who have learned to operate 90% of the equipment. This builds human capacity," he says.
Since March 2020, Icoba staff have been working in shifts in the laboratories to carry out work to provide solutions to the pandemic. These include the development of low-cost mechanical ventilators, the analysis of COVID-19 patient data and the disinfection of SARS-COV2 personal protective equipment.
Icoba also has twelve specialists in various areas. Thanks to these multiple disciplines, initiatives such as the chemical-ecological study of floral aromas and pollinating insects in Peruvian orchids, the development of bio-traps for potential agricultural pests and the production of bio-products were launched this year.
All this research will be accessible to external researchers, entrepreneurs and the general public. For more information and/or to contact the researchers, please click here.
"Icoba's expertise in the development of analytical methodologies allows us to develop advances with respect to our biodiversity".
Researcher at Icoba
"Icoba is a modern chemical analysis laboratory, has highly qualified professionals, and has a good working environment where trust and exchange of ideas prevails".
Researcher at Icoba
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