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DR VINCENT OWINO ADUNGA

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Staff Information
PERSONAL DETAILS
Designation
LECTURER
Corporate Email
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Job Category
Teaching
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science
Directorate / Dept
DEPT. OF BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIO
Section
Academic
Address
vincent.adunga@egerton.ac.ke
SUMMARY

I am a Lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Egerton University, a holder of PhD in Molecular Cellular Parasitology of University of Cambridge. In addition, have been Welcome Trust Public Health and Tropical Medicine Fellowship Post Doctoral Fellow at International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). My scientific interests are in control of pathogenic tropical diseases and training. Specifically, my focus is on drug target identification and validation, development of potential and/or improvement of diagnostic strategies for pathogenic diseases and understanding pathogen, host and vector biology interactions. Presently, I am involved in identifying diagnostic and staging biomarkers for sleeping sickness. In addition, I am involved in generation of low cost diagnostic molecules for development of affordable easy-to-use point-of-care diagnostic kits for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). I have also been involved in short courses on research tools and bioinformatics. The research studies have been on African trypanosomes, a tsetse fly transmitted parasite that cause a devastating African trypanosomiasis disease. Knowledge acquired from these studies has been shared with students, both at under- and postgraduate levels, scientist and colleagues through publications, short courses, workshops, seminar series and journal clubs. Further, I have been and currently involved in student research supervision at Egerton University, icipe, Biotechnology Research Institute of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (BRI-KARLO) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture (JKUAT); presently five masters are carrying out their research work under my tutelage. Together, these have enabled me to mentor and improve scientific capacity in Africa. My MSc and PhD studies involved functional analysis of trans-splicing machinery and identifying a clathrin endocytic network in African trypanosomes respectively. Both have aimed at validating these processes as potential drug targets. I carried out the later phase at the University of Cambridge under the tutelage of Prof. Mark C. Field where I focused on defining a clathrin interactome in African trypanosomes, a machinery that is essential in parasite survival and virulence. In this period, I also trained intern students and a PhD student in molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques. Output of the trainings has been published in peer reviewed journal. My current research is in collaboration with teams at University of Dundee, Makerere University of Uganda, BRI-KARLO, Kenya Wildlife Services and Institute of Primate Research of Kenya. In summary, my past, current and future engagements are for development of improved control and management of infectious diseases, dissemination of scientific resource, and mentorship towards growth of high quality scientific research capacity in Africa. 

ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2802-690X
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

PhD in Molecular Cell Biology - University of Cambridge, UK.

Thesis titled “Defining a clathrin interactome in African trypanosomes” where I demonstrated divergent evolution of endocytic machinery in African trypanosomes based on composition of its protein complexes.

 

MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Egerton University, Kenya.

Undertook a functional characterization of RNA trans-splicing machinery in African trypanosomes.

 

BSc General - Egerton University, Kenya.

First class honours in Biochemistry and Chemistry

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

I have expertise in molecular cellular parasitology, genomics and proteomics, functional genomics, immunochemistry and biochemical techniques, cell culture and genetic engineering. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Lecturer, May 2012 - To present: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University. 

Lecture and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Lectures in molecular cell biology, cell culture, biotechnology, parasite biochemistry, protein and nucleic acid biochemistry, enzymology, In silico protein biochemistry amongst others. Supervise and/or graduated several post gradute (PhD and MSc) students. 

Assistant Lecturer, 2007 - 2012. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University. 

Lecture of undergraduate programs. Lectures in bioethics, recombinant DNA technology, and cell culture and biotechnology.

Post Doctoral Fellow, Jan 2013 – July 2017: International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

A Welcome Trust Public Health and Tropical Medicine Fellowship to identify diagnosis and staging biomarkers, virulence factors and drug target in African trypanosomes. Project Highlights: 

  • The first African trypanosome gene expression profiling in non human primate model
  • Comparative expression pattern of parasites recovered from in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Visiting Scientist, 2012: International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

Grand Challenge Canada (GCC) winner on improved diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases. Project focused on use of insect system to develop affordable multi-disease diagnostic systems.

KEY PROJECTS

Welcome Trust Public Health and Tropical Medicine Fellowship (01/01/2014 – 31/07/2017)

Expression profiling of African trypanosomes in human and primate hosts: identification of biomarkers for diagnosis, identification of drug targets and dissection of virulence pathways

Total Award: $298,522 

Grand Challenge Canada (01/05/2013 -30/09/2014)

Multi-Disease Diagnostics - Development of low cost ready-to-use multi-disease diagnostic kit. 

CAN $ 113,000.

Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Trust Research Fund (2013-2014)

Development of procedural and computational platforms at trypanosome research center (TRC) in Kenya for utilization of archived African trypanosome isolates.

GBP 10000.

National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) Post-doctoral Grant (2013)

Validation of surface proteins for diagnosis of African trypanosomes.

US $ 11800.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interest is in development of novel and/or improved diagnostics, identification of drug targets for control of common pathogenic infections and understanding pathogen, host and vector biology interactions. More specifically, I am involved in identification of diagnostic and staging biomarkers for sleeping sickness, a devastating neglected tropical diseases (NTD) caused by African trypanosomes. No new drug is available for treatment sleeping sickness; my research is also focused on identification and validation of novel drug targets, and understanding mechanism of drug resistance in order to repurpose the current available limited by chemotoxicity and chemoresistance. In addition, varying disease outcomes in trypanosomes infections have been observed. By using mouse and non-human primate (vervet monkey) models of sleeping sicknesss, we have identified strains responsible for varying disease outcomes. These will allow our investigations into host and/or pathogen factors responsible for varying disease outcomes. Notably, risk of novel infectious diseases is high as observed in the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), cover 19 pandemic and other notable diseases like Ebola and Zika virus infections. With poor countries disproportionately affected, I involved in investigations on potentially human-infective pathogens in non-human primates that share locality with man. These studies are undertaken under the following themes:

  • Identification of diagnosis and staging biomarker for sleeping sickness
  • Determination of virulence factors and drug targets in African trypanosomes
  • Development of affordable and ready-to-use diagnostic systems 
  • Unravelling mode of action and resistance of anti-trypanocidal drugs using proteomic approaches
  • Mammalian, tsetse vector and African trypanosome interaction in transmission dynamics and varying infection outcomes
  • Potential role of non human primates in transmission of infections pathogens

 

These studies are undertaken in collaboration with colleagues in various institutions including 

 

  1. Dr. Paul Mireji, Dr John Thuita and Dr. Raymond Mudachi: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock organisation — Biotechnology Research Institute (KARLO-BRI) 
  2. Dr. Daniel Masiga and Dr. Joel Bargul: International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) 
  3. Dr. Maamun Jeneby: Institute of Primate Research (IPR) 
  4. Dr. Moses Otieno: Kenya Worldlife Services (KWS) 
  5. Prof. Mark Field: University of Dundee 
  6. Prof. Enock Matovu: Makerere University 
  7. Dr. John Thuita: Meru University
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
  1. Limo, W. K., Thuita, K. J., Orindi, B. O., Oidho, J., Shivairo, R., Masiga, M., Owino A. V. (2021) Mouse experiments demonstrate differential pathogenicity and virulence of Tryapnosoma brucei rhodesisnse strains. Exp. Parasit.228:108135. DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108135
     
  2. Sterkel, M., Haines, L. R., Casas-Sánchex, A., Adung’a, V. O., Vionette-Amaral, R. J., Quek, S., Rose, C., Santos, M. S. D., Escude, N. G., Ismail, H. M., Paine, M. I., Barribeau, S. M., Wagstaff, S., MacTae, J. I., Masiga, D., Yakon, L., Oliveira, P. L., Acosta-Serrano, Á. (2021) Repurposing the orphan drug nitisinone to control the transmission of African trypanosomiasis. PLoS Biol. 19(1):e3000796. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000796
  3. Mutuku, N. C., Bateta, R., Rono, K. M., Njunge, M. J., Awuoche, O. E., Ndung’u, K., Mang’era M. C., Akoth, O. M., Adung’a, O. V., Ondigo, N. B., Mireji, O. P., (2021) Physiological and proteomic profiles of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense parasite isolated from suramin responsive and non-responsive HAT patients in Busoga, Uganda. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist. 15: 57—67. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.02.001
  4. Makhulu, E. E., Villinger, J., Adung’a, V. O., Jensby, M. M., Kimathi, K. E., Mararo, E., Oundo W. J., Musa, A. A., Wambua, E. (2021) Tsetse blood-meal sources, endosymbionts and trypanosome-associations in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a wildlife-human-livestock interface. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 15(1):e0008267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008267
  5. Mbuthia, P., Murungi, E., Owino, V., Akinyi, M., Eastwood G., Nyamota, R., Lekolool, I., Jeneby, M., (2021)Potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal nematodes co-infecting free ranging non-human primates in Kenyan urban centres. Vet Med Sci. 00:1–11. DOI: 10.1002/vms3.424
  6. Nyamota, R., Owino, V., Murungi, EK., Villinger, J., Ottende, M., Masiga, D., Thuita, J., Lekolool, I., Jeneby, M., (2020) Broad diversity of simian immunodeficiency virus infecting Chlorocebus Species (African Green Monkey) and evidence of cross-species infection in Papio Anubis (Olive Baboon) in Kenya. J Med Primatol. 49:165 - 178. DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12461
  7. Edwin, O., Jandouwe V., Danspaid, M., David, O., Benedict, O., James, Mutunga., Vincent, O. and Daniel, K. M., (2017) Composition of Anopholes mosquitoes, their blood-meal hosts, and Plasmodium falciparum infection rates in three islands with disparate bed net coverage in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Malar J. 16:360. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2015-5
  8. Ng’onga, F., Nyanjom, S., Adung’a, V., Wamunyokoli, F. (2017) Computational identification of tricorn proteases interacting factor 3 in Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Biosci Hor. 10: 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/biohorizons/hzx012
  9. Bargul, J. L., Jung, J., McOdimba, F. A., Omogo, C. O., Adung’a, V. O., Krüger, T., Masiga, D. K. and Engstler, M., (2016) Species-specific adaptation of trypanosome morphology and motility to the mammalian host. PLoS Pathog 12(2):e1005448. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005448
  10. Murungi, E. K., Kariithi, H. M., Adung’a, V., Obonyo, M. and Christoffels, A. (2014) Evolution and structural analyses of Glossina morsitans (Diptera; Glossinidae) tetraspanins. Insects. 5:885-908. doi: 10.3390/insects5040885
  11. Murungi, E., Barlow, L. D., Venkatesh, D., Adung’a, V. O., Dacks, J. B., Field, M. C. and Christoffels, A. (2014). A comparative analysis of trypanosomatids SNARE. Parasitol Int. 63:341-348. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.11.002
  12. Adung`a, V.O., Gadelha, C. and Field M.C., (2013) Proteomic analysis of clathrin interaction in trypanosomes reveals dynamic evolution of endocytosis. Traffic. 14: 440-457. DOI: 10.1111/tra.12040
  13. Adung`a, V.O. and Field M.C., (2013) TbFRP, a novel FYVE-domain containing phosphoinositide-binding Ras-like GTPase from trypanosomes. Exp Parasitol. 133:355-264. DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.11.007
  14. 14.Field, M.C., Obado, S., Adunga, V., Chait, B.T. and Rout, M.P., (2011) ‘Proteomics at the rims; insights into the biology of the nuclear envelope and flagellar pocket of trypanosomes.’ Parasitology. 39: 1-39. DOI: 10.1017/S0031182011002125
  15. Owino V.A., Limoh, M.K. and Masiga, D.K (2008). `RNA interference: a pathway to drug target identification and validation in trypanosome’. African J. Biochem. Res. 3 066-073.https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJBR/article-abstract/6E30BA09947

BOOK CHAPTER

1. Field, M.C., Lumb, J., Adunga, V., Jones, N and Engstler, M, (2009) 'Macromolecular trafficking and immune evasion in African trypanosomes.' Int Rev Cell Mol Biol. 278: 1 – 52. DOI: 10.1016/S1937-6448(09)78001-3

CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS
  1. Tsetse genomics, annotation and science writing workshop, 19 - 23, March, 2012 - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, icipe, Nairobi, Kenya.
  2. Hands-on-workshop in point-of-care diagnostic. 25 - 29, June, 2012 - Institute of Primary Research, National Museums of Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya.
  3. Advanced Neuroscience School of Neglected Tropical Neurological Diseases and Conditions: Current Understanding and Methodological Approaches. 14 -26 Sept 2015 - International Brain Research Organisation. Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of Congo.
  4. 2nd AREF Essential Grants Writing Skills Workshop, 22 - 24 May 2017 - Africa Research Excellence Fund. Dakar, Senegal.
  5. The Epidemiological Transition. 7 - 8 July, 2016 - The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. Nairobi, Kenya. 
  6. Drug discovery, development and diagnostics, 25 -26, May 2016 International Society of Neglected Tropical Diseases, ISNTD d3 2016, London, United Kingdom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkeHLzgOMPM

POSTER PRESENTATION

  1. Adung`a VA, Masiga DK. (2012) Validation of variable surface glycoproteins (VSG) for diagnosis of African trypanosomes. In 1st Annual Hands-on-workshop in Point-of-care Diagnostic. Pg 73. 
HONORS, PRIZE AND AWARDS

Welcome Trust Public Health and Tropical Medicine Fellowship (01/01/2014 – 31/07/2017)

Expression profiling of African trypanosomes in human and primate hosts: identification of biomarkers for diagnosis, identification of drug targets and dissection of virulence pathways

Total Award: $298,522 

Grand Challenge Canada (01/05/2013 -30/09/2014)

Multi-Disease Diagnostics - Development of low cost ready-to-use multi-disease diagnostic kit. 

CAN $ 113,000.

Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Trust Research Fund (2013-2014)

Development of procedural and computational platforms at trypanosome research center (TRC) in Kenya for utilization of archived African trypanosome isolates.

GBP 10000.

National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) Post-doctoral Grant (2013)

Validation of surface proteins for diagnosis of African trypanosomes.

US $ 11800.

 

AWARDS

Cambridge Commonwealth Trust (CCT) Scholarship for PhD

Dissertation Research Internship Programme (DRIP) award Scholarship. A World Health Organization-Tropical Disease Research (WHO-TDR) Msc thesis project award by icipe.

TEACHING AREAS

Teaching areas include cell signalling, cell culture, recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering, functional genomics, advanced enzymology and proteomics, basic metabolism and research methods.

I have examined MSc and PhD thesis at Egerton University, Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
MASTERS LEVEL :

Completed

  1. Kevin Marucha Kamanyi (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Interaction of tsetse and their endosymbionts in biosynthesis of vitamins and cofactors 
  2. Edwin Ogola (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Blood-feeding pattern of malaria vector reveals malaria transmission dynamics In three islands of Lake Victoria in Kenya
  3. Richard Nyamota (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Broad diversity of simian immunodeficiency virus infecting free-ranging non-human promotes in Kenyan urban centres.
  4. Peris Mbuthia (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Molecular evidence of zoonotic helminths infecting free-ranging non-human primates in Kenyan urban centres: potential reservoirs for human infections
  5. Simon Ngao Mule (MSc Biotechnology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Biotechnology): Potential application of variable surface glycoprotein in diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection.

On going

  1. Modesta Akoth (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Differential expressed proteins, cellular and biochemical processes involved in drug resistance in African trypanosomes 
  2. Susan Njuki (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Computational identification of putative epitopes for viral vaccine development
  3. Edward Edmond Makhulu (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Blood-meal sources and endosymbionts present in tsetse flies of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a wildlife-human livestock interface provides insights into African trypanosome transmission
  4. Clara Chebet (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): Role of cytokines in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection outcomes in vervet monkeys
  5. Carolina Gachuhi (MSc Biochemistry, Egerton University): The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) repertoire and the expression profile dynamics in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in infected vervet monkey.
  6. William Limoh (MSc Biochemistry, Biological Science): Differential pathogenicity and virulence of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesisnse strains
PhD. LEVEL :

COMPLETED

  1. Florence Atieno Ng’onga (PhD Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Biotechnology): Characterization of tricorn proteases in Tryapnoosma brucei.
OTHER SOCIETIES
  1. Member of Biochemical Society of Kenya
  2. Member of the African Society of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
  3. International Society for Computational Biology (iSCB)
  4. British Society of Parasitology
  5. International Society of Neglected Tropical Diseases
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