FUNAAB Alumnus Launches BioSim Lab to Revolutionize Molecular Biology Training Across Africa
FUNAAB Alumnus Launches BioSim Lab to Revolutionize Molecular Biology Training Across Africa
UmarFarouk123 
Hammed Tukur, a distinguished alumnus of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has launched BioSim Lab, a pioneering virtual biotechnology platform designed to democratize access to molecular biology education in resource-limited settings.
Currently a PhD candidate in Molecular Biosciences at Newcastle University, UK, Tukur’s journey from the Nimbe Adedipe Library at FUNAAB to the global stage serves as the foundation for this innovation. Inspired by his early studies in Animal Breeding and Genetics—where he earned First-Class Honours—Tukur identified a critical gap between theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory access in Africa.
BioSim Lab is a free, mobile- and web-based simulation platform that allows students to perform complex procedures, including DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and advanced imaging. By removing the requirement for expensive physical equipment, the platform empowers students to build technical confidence and master protocols through repeated virtual practice.
“Our knowledge of all things biological will remain incomplete until the molecular basis of every living process is made clear,” Tukur noted, citing the quote that sparked his career. "BioSim Lab ensures that a lack of physical infrastructure does not prevent African students from understanding life at the molecular level."
Tukur’s path to innovation is backed by a rigorous international research background:
Since its recent launch, BioSim Lab has gained significant traction, attracting over 300 users within its first few days. The platform is specifically optimized for low-bandwidth environments and features simulations tailored to African research priorities, such as antimicrobial resistance.
By translating his elite academic training into a scalable digital tool, Hammed Tukur is ensuring that the next generation of African scientists can compete on the global stage, regardless of their institutional laboratory capacity.
