New facilities for mineral biogeochemistry research at UFS
The BIOGRIP Node for Mineral Biogeochemistry at the University of the Free State, hosted within the Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry (CMBG), is pleased to announce the completion of the physical laboratory infrastructure facility.
The facility contains four laboratories that will advance research and innovation in agriculture, mining sustainability and water biotreatment.
These labs include:
DNA Laboratory for DNA and RNA extraction and preparation
Environmental Laboratory for the preparation of, analysis of and experimentation with biogeochemical materials (e.g., soil, sediment, plant, and microbial material)
Field Laboratory for field sampling preparation, and preparation of samples for analysis
Proof of Concept laboratory for conducting proof of concept experiments in a lab exposed to daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.
Research at the facility is currently focused on agricultural production through increased soil health via biological means, on mining sustainability and water biotreatment, and on conservation through soil rehabilitation, increasing soil health and remediating anthropogenic waste through biotreatment.
The CMBG team is focused principally on the needs of South African society, specifically those that can be addressed by mineral biogeochemistry. The aim is building a network of relationships with relevant local and international specialists, as well as training local South Africans in methods using mineral biogeochemistry for societies’ overall gain.