From FUNAAB to Global Impact: Hammed Tukur Launches BioSim Lab to Democratize Molecular Biology Training in Africa

Mr. Hammed Tukur, a PhD student in Molecular Biosciences at Newcastle University, UK, and founder of BioSim Lab, is transforming molecular biology education across Africa by creating a virtual, accessible platform for hands-on biotechnology training.

Tukur’s journey began at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), where he graduated First-Class Honours in Animal Breeding and Genetics at the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM). Guided by mentors such as Prof. Martha Bemji, Prof. Ayotunde Adebambo, Prof. Michael Ozoje, and Dr. Akinyanju Lawal, he developed an early fascination with molecular reproductive biology, particularly in relation to declining fertility in high-yield dairy cattle.

He subsequently earned a fully funded MSc at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, focusing on in-vitro oocyte maturation in Arabian camels, and later worked as a Research Assistant at the University of South Bohemia, Czechia, studying early mammalian development. In 2022, Tukur began his fully funded PhD at Newcastle University, researching cell cycle regulation and aneuploidy during meiosis, with implications for female infertility and IVF failure, while supervising undergraduate projects and coordinating lab demonstrations.

Building on this experience, Tukur founded BioSim Lab, a mobile- and web-based virtual biotechnology laboratory that enables students to practice molecular techniques—such as DNA extraction, PCR, and advanced imaging—without physical equipment. Optimized for resource-limited settings, the platform allows repeated practice, reduces experimental errors, and aligns with African research priorities, including antimicrobial resistance.

Since its launch, BioSim Lab has attracted over 320 users, reflecting the urgent demand for accessible, high-quality molecular biology training across the continent. The initiative embodies Tukur’s belief that access to equipment should not limit who can learn and excel at the molecular level, an ethos shaped during his formative years at FUNAAB.

Key Highlights:

• Founder: Hammed Tukur, PhD student, Newcastle University
• Platform: BioSim Lab, free virtual biotechnology laboratory
• Features: DNA extraction, PCR, advanced imaging simulations
• Accessibility: Runs on any device; optimized for resource-limited settings
• Users: Over 320 students in days of launch
• Focus: Democratizing molecular biology training in Africa, addressing local research challenges

Through BioSim Lab, Tukur is bridging the gap between education and resources, empowering a new generation of African scientists to gain practical molecular biology skills irrespective of laboratory access.