FACULTY: Faculty of Science
DEPARTMENT: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
NAME OF STAFF: Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu
E-mail: Stephen. ghogomu@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: 237-678455646
GRADE: Lecturer
BRIEF EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
-2002-05: PhD (Natural Science), University of Karlsruhe (Germany):Identification and characterization of the transcriptional modulators of the Lef/Tcf transcription factors.
1993-1998: Doctorat de 3e Cycle (Biochemisty) University of Yaounde I (Cameroon): Identification and characterization of a novel and dominant protein of Onchcerca volvulus as a potential vaccine candidate.
1991-1993: Higher Teachers Training College (ENS) Yaounde (Cameroon)
1991-1992: DEA (Biochemistry), University of Yaounde I (Cameroon)
1990-1991: Maîtrise (Biochemistry), University of Yaounde I (Cameroon): Induction of Onchocerca volvulus antigen in Lamda gt 11 vector.
1986-1990: BSc (Hons) (Biology), University of Yaounde I (Cameroon)
AREA OF SPECIALIZATION: Molecular Biology
Example: Parasitology Immunology
RESEARCH INTEREST AREA
Molecular Parasitology & Public health research
MASTER AND/OR PhD THESES SUPERVISED
| Title: | Student supervised | Date of Defense |
| Immune responses to UB05, a dominant antigen of Plasmodium falciparum | Lawir Devine | July 2004 |
| Development of a serological test for human onchocerciasis using nodular released products on Onchocerca ochenji. | Ferdinand Ngale Njume | October 2012 |
| Angiotensin II type I receptor (ATR1) gene polymorphism and predisposition to hypertension in the South West Region of Cameroon. | Atanga Roger | January 2014 |
| Relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes in the South West Region of Cameroon | Mungwa Simon Tii Jr | January 2014 |
| Genetic variations in CSK, CYP17A1, MTHFR, and FGF5 gene loci related to blood pressure and/or hypertension in the South West Region of Cameroonian | Ntungwe Epole
|
Jully 2014 |
| Association of Genetic polymorphism of PPARγ-2, ACE, MTHFR, FABP-2 and FTOgenes in risk prediction of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the South West region | Fru Bertha | Jully 2014 |
| Immune responses to recombinant candidate vaccines for onchoceciasis in an area of multiple infections | Che Tambong Ium Izong Nancy | July 2014 |
| Immune responses to recombinant Ov-Spn1 antigen | Mingo Amuteng Ghogomu | July 2014 |
| “Expression and serorolocal characterization of the extra cellular domain (ECD) of an Onchocerca volvulus membrane protein, ov-47 . | Toukam Lilian Laure | July 2014 |
| The role of OvSpn1 in T-cell proliferation in the development of potential a vaccine candidate | Kwi Pilate | July 2014 |
| Cytokine responses to Onchocerca volvulus serpine protease inhibitor (ov-spn) -1. | Djankou Ngambia Aurelie Ines | July 2014 |
| Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the fc gamma receptor 2a gene and malaria in ekona and bonakanda | Fon Eleanor Magha | July 2014 |
| Association of genetic polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) with hypertension among the bantu population in Buea, South west region of Cameroon. | Ms. Tamutan Marie Ngejang | April 2015 |
| Association of genetic polymorphism of apolipoprotein E gene with hypertension in the bantu ethnic group in buea | Mr. Johnston Isaac Mboni Musong | April 2015 |
| Development of an antigen capture assay in the serodiagnosis of human onchocerciasis | Ms. Tchouba Danie Gaelle | April 2015 |
PUBLICATIONS
1). Ghogomu SM, Epolle N N, Fru B A and Moulium R. N. (2016) Association of MTHFR (C677T) gene polymorphism and hypertension in South West Cameroon. Genet Mol Res 15 (1): gmr.15017462 Pub Med ID: 27051013
2). Ghogomu SM, Atanga R, Mungwa S. Tii and Moulium R. N. (2016). Lack of association of the A1166C polymorphism in the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (ATR1) gene and essential hypertension in the South West Region of Cameroon. Int J Clin Exp Med 9(2):4071-4076.
3). Ghogomu SM, Mungwa S. Tii, Atanga R and Moulium R. N. (2015). The insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene predisposes Cameroon female type 2 diabetes mellitus patients to essential hypertension. JCAS 12 (3) 117-185
4). Bentaya S.,Ghogomu S.M., Vanhomwegen J., Van Campenhout C.,Thelie A., Dhainaut M., Bellefroid E. &Souopgui J. (2012). The RNA-binding protein XSeb4R regulates maternal Sox3 at the posttranscriptional level during maternal-zygotic transition in Xenopus. Dev. Biol. 363 (2012) 362–372.
5). Pourebrahim ,R. Houtmeyers R., Ghogomu S.M., Janssen S., Thelie A., Thi Tran H., Langenberg T., Vleminckx K., Bellefroid E., Jean-Jacques Cassiman J., and Tejpar S (2011). Transcription factor ZIC2 suppresses Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. JBC, 286, (43), 37732–37740.
Personal Summary
Dr. Ghogomu M. Stephen is a lecturer of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and head of the Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory of the Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science. He runs a research and development project on strengthening the Onchocerciasis (River blindness) elimination program in Cameroon, a project that falls within a scientific, pedagogic and technical collaboration framework between the University of Buea and the Université Libre de Bruxelles. At the scientific level, the project aims at identifying and developing sensitive, specific, non invasive, user friendly and affordable tools for the diagnosis, surveillance and monitoring of onchocerciasis in Cameroon, re-mapping of the onchocerciasis landscape in Cameroon and identifying the weaknesses and strengths of the CDTI (community-directedtreatment by Ivermectin) program. At the pedagogic and technical levels, both institutions endeavor to exchange post graduate research students, lecturers, scientists, technical staff as well as publications; carry out joint research activities; organize common conferences, seminars, symposia and supervision of post graduate students. Dr. ghogomu is the South Coordinator of the project while Pr. Jacob Souopgui is the North coordinator. The project partners are renowned Professors from the Centre for research on filariosis and other tropical diseases (CeRFilMT) Yaounde, Université Libre de Bruxelles, University Catholique de Lauven. The project is sponsored by the ‘Academié de Reserche et D’eseignement Superieur – Commission de la Cooperation au Devélopement’ (ARES-CCD), Belgium
Dr. ghogomu is also interested in the use of molecular biology techniques in the transcriptional and metabolic regulation of non communicable disease pathways. Diseases targeted are hypertension, diabetes and cancer. This project has identified a couple of target genes that can be at the basis of hypertension and diabetes and thus predispose Cameroonians to these diseases. Results obtained can already be employed not only in the identification of at-risk-patients in early stage of the disease but also create awareness for life style changes and may also instigate the government to formulate policies to take preventive measures against these disease.
Current Research Interest
With these diverse techniques acquired in molecular parasitology and proteomics in Cameroon, Germany and Belgium, I now run a well-equipped Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory at the University of Buea, Cameroon. My Laboratory is interested in using proteomics approaches to search for efficient drug targets, sensitive diagnostics, potential vaccine candidates against these diseases. In another line of research, we employ a genomic approach to characterize genes involved in systemic diseases (hypertension & diabetes) for a better management of these diseases.
Funding
Five year research grant to the tune of 550,000 Euros from Academié de Reserche et D’eseignement Superieur – Commission de la Cooperation au Devélopement (ARES-CCD), Belgium.
