Biotechnology applications in current use for improving horticultural crops in Africa include tissue culture, genetic transformation, DNA fingerprinting, markeraided analysis of genetic diversity, and DNA markers for new testing tools and techniques. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), while undertaking genomics and genetic transformation research, addresses questions about: (i) what specific research is needed to fulfil its mission; (ii) what are the most promising opportunities for applying genomics and genetic transformation research for the improvement of crops in Africa; (iii) how can IITA benefit from specific partnerships with Advanced Research Institutes (ARIs) or global initiatives involving ARIs and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS); and (iv) how can IITA serve as an effective bridge to transfer knowledge and technology from ARIs to its NARS partners? IITA's role in research for development involving crop biotechnology in Africa includes: (i) fostering the international sharing of knowledge and skills in biotechnology tools important to agriculture improvement on the continent; (ii) helping African national partners to negotiate acceptable terms on intellectual properties needed for crop breeding; and (iii) launching creative and innovative approaches such as molecular breeding of crops relevant to African agriculture. Hence, IITA bridges gaps by linking ARIs around the world to Africa to share the benefits of biotechnology. Molecular markers are being used to tag specific chromosome segments bearing the desired gene(s) to be transferred (or incorporated) into breeding lines (or populations). By finding genes with a DNA marker, the power of selection in plant breeding for traits like cassava mosaic disease resistance, fruit parthenocarpy in plantain and banana, or Striga resistance in cowpea or maize can be magnified. Likewise, IITA and research partners world-wide are developing methods to genetically transform crops to overcome pest and disease problems and producing new diagnostic and DNA tools for identifying pests and pathogens or contaminants in food and feed.