Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Department

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department

Introduction

In tandem with the vision of becoming a hub for excellence in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology research, workforce development and wealth creation in Nigeria, the department has the track records of researching into “omics” of bacteria, fungi and protozoa, essentially of gastrointestinal and urogenital origins. We have high impact publications in molecular epidemiology of Salmonella enterica ser. Typhi, non-typhoidal salmonella (NTS), Helicobacter pylori, entero-haemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC, 0157:H7), determinants of antimicrobial resistance and mobile genetic elements driving antibiotics resistance transmissibility.

Also, we explore the biotechnological potentials of local isolates of lactic acid bacteria with many 16S rRNA genes deposited and accessioned in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Bethesda, USA. Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic engendered three (3) diagnostic kits; DNA, RNA extraction kits, sample release buffers, which are being processed for patenting.

Currently, in bracing up to the public health problems in the country, the department is repositioned to operate under five (5) laboratories/units with strategic research focus as follows;

Molecular epidemiology and Food safety
Nanotechnology
Probiotics and gut microbiome
Molecular techniques
Respiratory diseases

The department collaborates with local/international institutions such as Federal and State Ministries of health, Nigeria, FHI, Alexander von Humboldt (AvH), Germany, INSERM, France, TWAS, ROCHE and Universities.

T. A. Bamidele MSc, Ph.D. Medical/Pharmaceutical Microbiology	Coordinator/Senior Research Fellow
S. I. Smith MSc, PhD	Professor, Director of Research
B. A. Iwalokun MSC, PhD	Deputy Director, Research
M. A. Fowora MSc, PhD	Research Fellow I
T. Y. Raheem MSc, PhD	Research Fellow I
O. A. Adagbada MSc	Research Fellow II
J. I. Yisau MSc	Research Fellow II
Laboratory Scientists
G. Akintunde MSc, FMLS	Chief Medical laboratory Scientist
T. W. Fesobi MSc	Chief Science laboratory Technologist
N. Aiyedogbon	Medical laboratory Scientist
J. C. Ikpo	Medical laboratory Scientist
Secretariat/Departmental Office
A.O Okolie	Chief Secretarial Assistant
T. S. Adebiyi	Executive Officer

The Molecular Epidemiology and Food Safety Laboratory

The head of the Molecular Epidemiology and food safety laboratory is Prof. Stella I. Smith has 187 peer-reviewed publications to her credit. Her Google scholar citation is 3237 and h-index of 31. Prof. Smith was recently inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and is a member of several international organisations. Prof. Smith also doubles up as the founding President of the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study group (AHMSG) a group comprising experts from eight African countries. She is also a reviewer to several international journals as well as member of African German Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES).

The Molecular Epidemiology and food safety Laboratory over the years has been involved in Molecular epidemiology of infectious agents of majorly bacterial diseases particularly Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Salmonella (typhoidal and non-typhoidal) diseases. The Laboratory has won several grants most notable of which are TWAS, IFS, Humboldt, INSERM, ICGEB, DFG, TeTFUND, NIMR and ACE (collaborating partner).

The Laboratory is also involved in capacity building of students, lecturers and researchers from the six geo-political zones in the country either as IT, project or molecular biology hands-on-training workshop since 2009 with over 300 IT and project students from BSc to PhD. She has co-supervised 13 PhD students with 3 on-going. She also established the annual molecular biology hands on training workshop for final year 400L students at the Mountain Top University where she is the Professor of Microbiology. Over 400 participants being trained in the Molecular biology hands-on-training workshop since inception.

The Laboratory collaborates with Researchers both nationally and internationally. International collaborating countries have been from Germany, France, Netherlands, UK, US, Belgium, South Africa and Cameroon.

Notable equipment in the laboratory include: