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The Africa Genome Education Institute is dedicated to the public discussion of genetics and biotechnology in Africa. We seek to share, discuss, and disseminate information about genetics and biotechnology as it impacts upon the continent. The Teaching Biology Project is a program of the AGEI.

Darwin Seminar Next Events

Cape Town Book Fair

You are invited to join Wilmot James to celebrate the publication of his new book, "Nature's Gifts: Why we are the way we are".  Dr Mamphela Ramphele will be the guest speaker.

DALRO Forum, CTICC, Cape Town, Sunday, 1 August 2010 at 4 pm.

Contact us for details or view the Events Schedule.

Darwin Trail

Darwin TrailThe Darwin Trail Map was launched officially on Sunday, 27 September 2009.

The map was presented to ten schools, using Interactive Telematic Technology through Stellenbosch University, a virtual teaching system which beams lessons out to learners through satellite broadcasting. We are very grateful to the Western Cape Education Department and the Stellenbosch University for allowing us to use lesson time to present this valuable resource.


Click here to see the map.

Loving the smells of nature
Written by Dr Wilmot James   
Saturday, 02 February 2008 04:37
It's not about the bottle
It's not about the bottle

‘One of the first perfumes based on a completely synthetic smell’ Diane Ackerman wrote in her Natural History of the Senses ‘was Chanel No.5, which was created in 1922 and has remained a classic of femininity.’ (New York, Vintage, 11-12). Asked impertinently once what she wore to bed, Marilyn Monroe apparently shot back, coyly, ‘Chanel No.5’!

The ‘synthetic smell’ molecule in No.5 belonged to class of what is known as aldehydes, which is an organic compound formed by the oxidation of alcohols. In the music-like language of fragrance, the aldehyde is Chanel No.5’s first ‘note’; the substance you smell first, as it is often is the smell that disappears first too. It is the perfume’s introduction.

This is followed by the smell of jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, orris (a preparation of the fragrant rootstock of an iris used in the past in medicine) and the Malaysian and Filipino ylang-ylang (a sweet-scented oil obtained from the flowers of a yellow-flowered tropical tree widely used in aromatherapy and perfumes).

Read more... [Loving the smells of nature]
 
The miracle of buchu
Written by Dr Wilmot James   
Tuesday, 29 January 2008 04:28
The multipurpose Buchu
The multipurpose Buchu

Likely discovered and certainly used extensively by one of humanity's most ancient of peoples, the Khoi and San, Buchu is a special plant type found on the damp lower slopes of the mountains and hills of the South Western Cape. Also known as boegoe (Afrikaans) or ibuchu (Xhosa), buchu belongs to the Rutaceae (citrus) family of fynbos.

Appearing in a bountiful 125 different varieties, buchu is a flowering plant. Some versions are richly and unmistakably fragrant: 'The volatile oils in the glands clotting the leaves and fruit' the website www.plantzafrica.com records, 'emit an easily recognizable buchu fragrance when touched or crushed'. It is evergreen and belongs to the class of mountain fynbos.

The Khoi and San apparently used buchu as one ingredient to make body lotions and chewed their leaves as a cure for stomach cramps. Medicinal applications are now well known, as a general health tonic, to treat mild cystitis and prostatitis, an appetite stimulant (in small doses) and to aid digestion, and these Khoi and San pioneered.

It can act as diuretic, a stimulant (apparently good for a hangover) and to treat colds, flu, coughs, rheumatism and gout. It has been used to wash and clean wounds. Buchu can be taken orally in the form of an infusion tea or as a tincture in brandy or vinegar. The leaves can also be chewed fresh or dried. As it has a mild laxative effect, the herb should not be taken in excess.

Read more... [The miracle of buchu]
 
What's so special about the African Genome - Part 2
Written by Simon Outram   
Monday, 21 January 2008 04:16
Considering the genome
Considering the genome

It’s a comforting thought that there’s nothing particularly special about the African Genome – or more particularly – that there is nothing particularly special about the social implications of genomics in Africa (see Part 1). I would definitely conclude that Watson’s ‘intelligent’ guesses as to the biological basis for intelligence have not shown up in my research (see Genes, Race and Brain Function). I do not want to say too much about the detail of Watson’s comments: to paraphrase one person I interviewed, “giving more oxygen to these comments may be counter-productive.” However, I do want to say something about how Watson’s comments provide a context for the social and ethical debates currently being held in Africa concerning the role of genomics.

Read more... [What's so special about the African Genome - Part 2]
 
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