Molecular Genetics Section

Introduction 

The Molecular Genetics section was part of IPR Molecular Biology and was merged with the Genetics section at NMK headquarters in 1992. The mission is to undertake training incore Molecular Biology research of biomedical, population genetics and genomics and to provide a biotechnology products platform for the country?

The aims andobjectives of the Molecular Genetics section are:

• Biomedical studies in infectious diseases using immunological and molecular biology tools
• Population genetics studies for various taxa.
• Human Anthropological Genetics
•  Genome-wideanalysis of pathogens and microbial field isolates
• Microbial Diversity and Phylogenetics
• Enhance application of Bioinformatics in biosciences
• Establish biotechnology platform for product development
• Training programin Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Current Projects:

• Malaria (host: pathogeninteraction), Schisto vaccines, pathogens, bioinformatics
• Population genetics of zebra.
• Malaria diagnostics
• Extremophiles inKenya marine Lakes.
•  Genomics, bioinformatics andbiotechnology
•  Research on extremophiles, isolation and characterization of crt1 from Paracoccus
•  Research on extremophiles, isolation and characterization of crt Y from Paracoccus
•  Prevalence of P. falciparum ebl-1 and human glycophoric B null genotypes within Kenya.
•  Thephylogeographic geotypes of goats in arid and semi arid areas
•  Genetic analysis of Gravy’s Zebra using microsatellite makers.
•  Recombinant DLCSchistosomiasis Vaccine. Genetic characterization of Nile Perch using DNAmakers.

Collections

The section has a laboratory, a library formolecular genetics and Cryobank fortaxa including zebras and fishes

Staff

Dr. Kem Githui (Head of Section)

Ms. Ann Mwaura

Ms. Loise Ngithi

Mr. Hussein Ahmed

Research Partners:

• Institute of Primate Research Kenya 
• Kenya Polytechnic University 
• Belgian Culture Collection Center (BCCG/LMG), 
• German Culture Collection Center (DSMZ),
• Helmholtz Institute for Infections,  
• University of Georgia,
• Human Genomics and Diversity Research Unit (NHRL),
• University of Witwatersrand