KNUST School of Medical Science Molecular Medicine Department

KNUST School of Medical Science Molecular Medicine Department

RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE

Background
The Molecular Medicine Department is a teaching and research department of school of medical sciences. The mission and vision of the department is in consonance with that of the university to create an enabling environment for teaching, research training in biomedical sciences. The department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into the chemical and immunological basis of infectious and chronic diseases prominent in our sub-region.
In addition, the Department teaches Medical Students, Allied Health Science Students and Pharmacy Students all in the College of Health Sciences.  Moreover, the Department offers graduate training and conduct research into chemical and immunological basis of chronic and infectious diseases of public health importance to Ghana and the world at large.

Overview of Department Research Output and Available Facilities

The Department of Molecular Medicine consists of 9 senior members (2 Associate Professors, 2 Senior Lecturers and 5 Lecturers). Senior members of the department conducts active research in areas of chemical and immunological mechanisms of communicable and non-communicable diseases notably: human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic syndrome, infertility, Hepatitis B and C viral infections, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer and pro-inflammatory and inflammatory patterns associated with these conditions. This is evidenced in many publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals by senior members of the department. The department currently has a PCR machine with its accessories and consumables, an ELISA plate reader, a vertical and horizontal electrophoresis set for gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamides gel electrophoresis and Western blot with its accessories and consumables. Ultimately, the department desire to set up state-of- art molecular laboratory for graduate training and diagnosis of infectious diseases. Nevertheless, department has research collaboration with the KCCR, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, some private laboratories and also with the following departments and units: Medicine, Anatomy, Behavioural/Psychiatry Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Surgery, Urology, Oncology and Pharmacology, pathology,  and child health of KATH.
ON-GOING RESEARCH IN THE DEPARTMENT
PROF F.A YEBOAH

  • Assessment of burden and distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes and associated cervical disease in Kumasi, Ghana
  • Molecular patterns of breast cancer: basis of tumour molecular characterization and clinical response outcomes.
  • The impact of helicobacter pylori on the immune modulation and clinical course of HIV patients at KATH
  • Sero-and genotypic prevalence of herpes simplex virus type1 &2 among human papillomavirus infected women in the Ghanaian population
  •  Resistin, leptin and adiponectin as prognostic markers in the management of hypertension
  • Therapeutic drug monitoring of digoxin at KATH
  • Adiposity and hyperlipidaemia as predictive indices of obstetric outcome
  •  The risk factors of severe post-natal hyperlipidaemia in Kumasi
  • Effect of garlic extract on hyperlipidaemic rats
  • Use of GRE and PSA as prognostic indices of benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer
  • The incidence of colorectal cancer among obese women at the KATH

PROF MARGARET T. FREMPONG

  • Comparative Analysis of the Quantity of RA 13 Receptors on triple negative breast   carcinomas and non-triple negative breast cancers and the possible development of anti-RA-13 monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis and/or treatment of triple negative breast cancers. 2010 to date:
  • Relationship between Interleukin – 6 and Resting Energy Expenditure among obese and non-obese adults: 2009 to date
  • The Impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on Immune Regulation and Clinical course in HIV Patients in Ghana.Immune Response to Mycobacterium Ulcerans infection
  • Prevalence of HBV Infection among children 1 – 10 years after the Implementation of HBV vaccine in Infant Immunization Policy in the Northern and Upper West Regions.
  • Prevalence of Hepatitis B and/or C, infections among HIV-infected pregnant women in the Brong- Ahafo Region.
  • The Role of MiR 29 in the T-Cell Response against Tuberculosis.
  • Serum Levels of Cholecalcefecol and Inflammatory factors (CRP & Interleukin – 6) in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. 2012 to date.
  • The role of oxidative stress in Tripple Negative Breast Cancer.

DR Robert A. NGALA

  • Effect of potassium channel (Kv1.3) inhibitor PAP-I on glucose uptake in mice isolated soleus muscle
  • Is there correlation in anthropometrics with adipokine cytokine and some mineral elements in metabolic syndrome among type two diabetic patients?
  • Antidiabetic properties of selected tropical plant extracts in Ghana.
  • Effect of some Ghanaian vegetable oils on glyceamic control in diabetes Mellitus managenent.
  • Possible causes of infertility in patients visiting IVF clinic and the use of Basal Gonadotropins as predictive markers of ovarian response in IVF clients.
  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana: An estimation of the prevalence rate, risk factors, and complications among Ghanaian population as a guide for integration of non-communicable diseases into national plans, policies and strategies

DR. E. F LAING

  • Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among diabetes mellitus patients
  • Comparative study of inflammatory markers and type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural and urban communities in Ashanti region of Ghana
  • Effect of thyroid dysfunction on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Metabolic syndrome-like effects in HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy.
  • Metabolic syndrome among Ghanaian patients presenting with chronic kidney disease
  • Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among hypertensive patients visiting Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi.
  • Anthropometric variables in type I and Type II diabetes mellitus
  • Use of glycosylated haemoglobin as an index of glycaemia in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus

DR. WKBA OWIREDU

  • Biochemical characterization of hypertension
  • Biochemical characterization of persons living with HIV
  • Sexual dysfunction and sexual quality of life among persons with physical disability in Ghana
  • Haemato-Biochemical basis of Anaemia in the Ashanti region, Ghana.
  • Metabolic syndrome and Oxidative stress among patients presenting with Prostate cancer in the Kumasi metropolis
  • Haemato-biochemical basis of primary postpartum haemorrhage
  • Haemato-Biochemical profile of psychiatric patients referred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi
  • Haemto-biochemical basis of pregnancy anaemia in the northern and upper west regions of Ghana
  • Quality control evaluation of Clinical Chemistry tests in the Kumasi metropolis
  • The effect of Lead on Haemato-Biochemical parameters in the Kumasi metropolis
  • The effect of thyroid hormones on obesity indices, hypertension and diabetes.
  • Inflammatory markers in Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and Renal Disease.
  • Evaluation of renal dysfunction among healthy and HIV infected children

DR MRS LINDA FONDJO

  • Maternal serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in pregnant women
  • Assessment  of  vitamin D deficiency amongst diabetes
  • Assessment of renin-angiogenic and angiogenic markers among woman with preeclampsia

DR CHRISTAIN OBIRIKORANG

  • The prevalence of Metabolic syndrome among People Living with HIV/AIDS
  • The prevalence of Iron Deficiency anaemia among pregnant women.
  • The predictors of adherence in Antiretroviral Therapy in People Living with HIV/AIDS.
  • The serum electrolyte profile in HIV/AIDS patients.

DR SAMUEL A. SAKYI

  • Selection and application of aptamers as simple diagnostic tool for buruli ulcer
  • Evaluation of FTA cards for obtaining DNA and the detection limit of mycobacterium ulcerans using the cards.
  • Changes in Lymphocyte Subsets in the Peripheral Blood of Buruli Ulcer patients on combination therapy.
  • Evaluation of procalcitonin, TNF-A, IL-6 and C – reactive protein as diagnostic markers for paediatric sepsis.
  • Evaluation of cytokine patterns in hepatitis B patients at KATH
  • Angiogenesis, oxidative stress and placental pathology in normal pregnancy and subsequent pregnancy outcome

Students Research Highlight
The Department offers graduate training and research programmes leading to the award of M.Sc. /M.Phil. /Ph.D. in Chemical Pathology/ Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Immunology in thematic areas of faculty members.  In our quest to promote research in our department, we organize weekly research forum for Senior Members, teaching assistance, and Postgraduate Students. Some of our students has had their abstract accepted for oral and poster presentation at local and international conferences (Liverpool and Ghana Biomedical Convention in Cape Coast).
Innovations borne out of research
Some faculty members has had training opportunities in molecular techniques and nucleic acid engineering for diagnosis and therapeutic applications in Michigan state university and Aptagen, Pennsylvania respectively.

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