Former chemistry collaboration in Cameroon and Ethiopia
Cameroon
IPICS CAM:01 - Applications of molecular biology techniques to tropical diseases
ISP supported the research group at University of Yaoundé I and University of Buea, Cameroon, between 1987 and 2008. The research group was led by Professor Vincent P K Titanji at University of Buea.
Objectives
The main objective of the research group was to apply new molecular techniques to tropical diseases to be able to develop new diagnostic methods, news cures and medicines and also to contribute to vaccine development. The group started out with focus on river blindness and continued to work on malaria and tuberculosis as well as metabolic diseases.
Achievements
Over the years of ISP support the group has graduated 14 PhD and 49 MSc/MPhil/Lic students. In addition, the group has published 41 papers in international journals, 17 papers in national and regional journals and produced 58 conference reports.
ISP support helped out in the establishment of biotechnology laboratories at both University of Yaoundé and University of Buea.
More information
The group serves as an example of a group that continued and expanded its activities, at both University of Yaoundé I and University of Buea. ISP support was concluded in 2008, but both centers were still actively conducting and expanding research. The Biotechnology Center Nkolbisson at University of Yaoundé I had in 2017 close to 50 researchers. Many of their alumni are now independent researchers, attracting funding on a competitive basis.
IPICS CAM02 - Natural and synthetic bioactive substances with potential
applications in medicine and agriculture
The research group at Department of Chemistry at University of Dschang, Cameroon, has received ISP support between 1991 and 2008. The research group was led by Dr Pierre Tane at University of Dschang.
Objectives
The overall objective of the project was to strengthen the research capacity of the University of Dschang through research cooperation and training young Cameroonian scientists in the fields of natural product chemistry, organic synthesis and pharmacology in collaboration with laboratories Sweden and other European countries. The long term aim was to valorizing indigenous knowledge and the abundant renewable plant resources of Cameroon.
Achievements
Between 1991 and 2008 the group has graduated 20 PhD and 46 MSc/MPhil/Licentiate students. In addition, the group has published 86 articles in international journals, three in national and regional journals and produced 76 conference reports.
ISP support helped out in the establishment of biotechnology laboratories at the university.
More information
After ISP supported ended, the chemistry group has regularly been invited to meetings on medicinal plants research organised by the Ministry of Higher Education.
The GC-MS equipment in their laboratory contributes to analysis of samples from other universities and from industries. The laboratory also welcomed graduate students and researchers from other national and regional university.
In addition, the group reached out and provides counseling to traditional healers regarding the continued use or not use of specific medicinal plants.
Ethiopia
IPICS ETH:04 - Methods for Selective Extraction and Quantitative Determination of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants
ISP supported the research group at Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia, between 2013 and 2018. Group leader was Dr Negussie Megersa, who graduated year 2000 with a PhD in a sandwich program with Lund University, Sweden, in an earlier phase of the Sida bilateral programme with AAU.
Objectives
The major focus of the project mainly concentrated on sampling of trace level pollutants of environmental, biological, food and pharmaceutical origins for quantitative chromatographic, electroanalytical and spectroscopic determinations.
The group was involved in activities centering on the problems of communities living around areas polluted by agrochemical residues. First the group identified such localities. Then the group studied how the chemical pollution affected the residents and the ecosystem through questionnaires and sampling.
Achievements
Between 2013 and 2018 the group graduated 3 PhD students (all male) and 5 MSc students (all male). In addition the group has published 13 articles in quality journals, and produced contributions to 5 regional conferences and to1 national conference.
The research group also approached the local society with their research results and informed about the risks of agrochemical, industrial and municipal waste, as well as measures to minimise and eventually avoid their risks. Policy makers were also approached; for example with the concerns of highly polluted rivers used for drinking water.