The Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience (CCRIB) expresses congratulations to Professor Marcia Roye, who is the recipient of the national award 2024 'Gold Musgrave Medal for Excellence. Prof. Roye also received the RJR Gleaner Honour for Science and Technology.
Dr. Sylvia Mitchell was awarded Distinguished Academic Staff Award at the Faculty of Science and Technology's annual award ceremony on November 7, 2024. Dr. Mitchell received a national award 'Phenomenal Woman in Agriculture 2024'.
On October 23, 2024, the Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience (CCRIB) hosted a meeting with Mayank Joshi, High Commissioner-Designate of India to discuss collaboration opportunity in medicinal plant research and India’s traditional medicinal practices. Professor Rupika Delgoda and Dr. David Picking spearheaded this event.
The Caribbean TRAMIL program has been exploring opportunities for traditional medicine, a Caribbean Pharmacopoeia and the role of botanicals in primary healthcare in the region for over 30 years, completing 50 surveys to date across 25 countries. In this event Dr David Picking will discuss a brief history of TRAMIL, the methodology and his own experience undertaking the first TRAMIL survey in Jamaica.
Watch the SEB Virtual Event – TRAMIL: Towards a Caribbean Herbal Pharmacopeia (youtube.com)
Breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis) is the fruit of the breadfruit tree, though it is often referred to as a vegetable when consumed before it is fully ripe. It comes from the same family as jackfruit and mulberry.
According to Dr Ina Vandebroek, co-author of the book Popular Medicinal Plants In Portland and Kingston, Jamaica and senior lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences at The University of the West Indies, Mona, the plants produce an array of phytochemicals, which are known as secondary metabolites, that help them as a defence against predators or attract pollinators.
The Musgrave Medals in Gold, Silver, Bronze, and the Youth Musgrave are awarded by the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) in recognition of notable contributions in literature, science, and art in Jamaica and the West Indies. The awards were founded in 1889 as a memorial to Sir Anthony Musgrave, governor of Jamaica, who founded the Institute of Jamaica in 1879.
In the Gold medal category, the awardees were Vivian Crawford, (Arts); Professor Marcia Roye (Science); and Professor Carolyn Cooper (Literature). Silver medal awardees were Dr Lenora Antoinette Stines, (Arts); Dr Conrad Douglas, (Science); and Barbara Blake-Hannah, (Literature). Awardees in the Bronze category were George ‘Fully’ Fullwood and Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis, for Arts; Merline Bardowell for Science; and Dr Sharma Taylor, for Literature.
Field Trip Natural Products works closely with the Natural Products Institute to explore the genetics, chemistry, and biology of psychedelic fungi. Current projects aim to examine the chemical differences between fungal species with the ultimate goal of understanding how these organisms might differentially affect humans. In addition, the team has uncovered unique methods promoting rapid fungal growth and production of psychoactive alkaloids. A deep fascination with the complexity of these understudied organisms drives this work.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US and in Jamaica, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both sexes in the US. While CRC is affected by modifiable factors such as environment, physical activity, Quetelet's index, diet, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, it is of noteworthy concern that it ranks as the third leading cause of death among young cancer patients aged 20–49 in the US. Approximately 20% of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Jamaica between 2008 and 2012 were younger than 50 years old. A recent study on a murine model showed that moving away from a Western diet even after carcinogenesis may reduce tumor burden, demonstrating that incorporating dietary compounds containing anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties may have added benefits in treating and preventing colorectal cancer. Given that nature has inspired significant solutions to cancer therapy in the past four decades and the demonstrated reliance and confidence on ethnomedicines by cancer patients, it is imperative that nature’s sources be fully evaluated as novel therapeutic options for the treatment and prevention of CRC.
Read the full Scientific Report.
Jamaican root tonics are fermented beverages made with the roots, bark, vines (and dried leaves) of local (mostly) wild harvested plant species. They are very popular across the island and among the diaspora because of their reputed abilities to prevent or cure many illnesses and increase stamina and virility. Yet, though a powerful informal symbol of Jamaican biocultural heritage, root tonics lack official recognition and little is being done to develop a sustainable industry for the benefit of the local producers and vendors. In a recent study entitled “Root Tonics and Resilience: Building Strength, Health, and Heritage in Jamaica” published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, researchers from FST’s Natural Products Institute, The New York Botanical Garden (USA), The University of Gastronomic Sciences (Italy) and five community members from rural Jamaica, examine the oral history and cultural importance of Jamaican root tonics, with the aim of laying down a road map for their development...
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
