Background
Dr. Kengne is a Post Doctoral Research Assistant at the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) working on the genomic basis of pyrethroids resistance in Anopheles gambiae since 2021.
He completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases from the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana in 2020. He used the reverse vaccinology approach for his Ph.D. project to characterize Plasmodium falciparum genes with cross-stage and gametocyte-specific expression as potential transmission-blocking vaccine candidates/diagnostic markers/drug targets. He assessed the genetic diversity of those potential vaccine candidates using the P. falciparum genomes from the Pf3k MalariaGEN database release 3 and evaluated their specific antibody immune responses in different Ghanaian populations. He also used RNAseq to study the differential expression of genes in the sexual and asexual stages of parasites derived from P. falciparum clinical isolates and lab reference strain NF54.
Before his Ph.D., Dr. Kengne participated in many malaria- and filariasis-based projects aiming at understanding the epidemiology of the above-mentioned diseases, the biology of their causative parasites, and Ivermectin resistance development in Onchocerca volvulus, the causative agent of river blindness, also known as onchocerciasis.
He obtained his B Sc and M Sc in Biochemistry at the University of Buea, Cameroon in 2005 and 2009 respectively. He assessed the Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein-1 block 2 (MSP-1) in sites of contrasting altitudes and malaria endemicities in the Mount Cameroon region during his master’s thesis.
Research:
- Areas of interest:
His interest now is to use poolseq and targeted sequencing to determine genetic variants (SNPs, Insertions, Deletions, Duplication (CNVs)) associated with insecticide resistance and use the relevant ones for the development of diagnostic markers that can be used to monitor resistance in the field.
- Research Areas:
Genomics and insecticide resistance, Transcriptomics, Immunology, Malaria,
- OTHER RELEVANT EXPERTISE, PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Protein expression, Immunofluorescence Assays, ELISA, Parasite culture
- PUBLICATIONS
| Harriet Kinga, Jonas A Kengne-Ouafo, Sandra A King, Richardson K Egyirifa, Fred Aboagye-Antwi, Jewelna Akorli, Water Physicochemical Parameters and Microbial Composition Distinguish Anopheles and Culex Mosquito Breeding Sites: Potential as Ecological Markers for Larval Source Surveillance, Journal of Medical Entomology, 2022;, tjac115, https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac115
Nzungize LambertArnaud J. Kengne-Ouafo et al. Transcriptional Profiles Analysis of COVID-19 and Malaria Patients Reveals Potential Biomarkers in Children. Preprint.July 2022 • Tepa A, Kengne-Ouafo JA, Djova VS, et al. Molecular Drivers of Multiple and Elevated Resistance to Insecticides in a Population of the Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae in Agriculture Hotspot of West Cameroon. Genes (Basel). 2022;13(7):1206. Published 2022 Jul 6. doi:10.3390/genes13071206 • Kengne-Ouafo JA., Colin J. Sutherland, Fred N. Binka, Gordon A. Awandare, and Britta C. Urban Bismarck Dinko. Immune responses to the sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Frontiers Immunology, 2019. • Saikou Y Bah, Collins Misita, Jonas A. Kengne-Ouafo, Lucas Amenga – Etego, Gordon A. Awandare. Highlights on the Application of Genomics and Bioinformatics in the Fight Against Infectious Diseases: Challenges and Opportunities in Africa. Frontiers Genetics, 2018. • Doyle SR, Bourguinat C, Nana-Djeunga HC, Kengne-Ouafo JA, Pion SDS, et al. Genome-wide analysis of ivermectin response by Onchocerca volvulus reveals that genetic drift and soft selective sweeps contribute to loss of drug sensitivity. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 11(7), 20017. • Wanji S., Kengne-Ouafo J.A., Datchoua F.R., et al. Detecting and staging podoconiosis cases in North West Cameroon: positive predictive value of clinical screening of patients by community health workers and researchers. BMC Public Health, 2016. • Kengne-Ouafo JA, Millard JD, Nji TM, ………, Newport MJ, Davey G, Wanji S: Understanding of research, genetics and genetic research in a rapid ethical assessment in North West Cameroon. International Health 2015 • Wanji S., Kengne-Ouafo J. A., Esum M. E,…….. Kah E., Enyong P., Taylor D. W. Situation Analysis of Onchocerciasis in three drainage basins of the rain forest of South 1 West Cameroon after a decade of repeated annual treatment with ivermectin: part I. Parasitological and entomological indices of transmission. Parasites & Vectors, 2015, • Wanji S., Amvongo, N., Koudou, B., Njouendou, A. J., Chounna-Ndongmo, P. W., Kengne-Ouafo, J. A. et al. The Cross-reactivity of the Binax NOW® Filariais ICT Card Test in Areas of Contrasting Endemicity of Loa loa and Mansonella perstans in Cameroon: Implications for Shrinking of the Lymphatic Filariasis Map in the Central African Region. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases In Press, 2015 • Tritten L., O’Neill M., Wanji S., Njouendou A., Fombad F., Kengne-Ouafo J., Mackenzie C., Geary T. Loa loa and Onchocerca ochengi miRNAs detected in host circulation. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology,2014 • Halliday, A. Guimaraes, A. F., Tyrer, H. E., Metuge, H. Chounna, P., Kengne-Ouafo A, …. Wanji, S., Taylor M. J., and J. D. Turner. A murine macrofilaricide screening model for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Parasites & Vectors, 2014. • Kengne-Ouafo JA, N.T.Nji, Tantoh WF, Nyoh D, Tendongfor N, Enyong PA, Newport M, Davey G, Wanji S., Perceptions of consent, permission structures and approaches to the community: a rapid ethical assessment performed in North West Cameroon. BMC Public Health, 2014. • Nana-Djeunga H, Bourguinat C, Pion SDS, Bopda J, Kengne-Ouafo J, Njiokou F, Prichard R, Wanji S, Kamgno J & Boussinesq M. Reproductive status of Onchocerca volvulus after ivermectin treatment in an ivermectin-naïve and a frequently treated population from Cameroon. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 8 (4): e2824. 2014 • Wanji, S., Kengne-Ouafo, J. A. Eyong, E. E. J., Kimbi, H. K., Tendongfor, N, Ndamukong-Nyanga,J., Nana-Djeunga, H. C., Bourguinat, C., Sofeu-Feugaing, D. D., and Charvet C.L. (2012).Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein-1 block 2 (MSP-1) in sites of contrasting altitudes and malaria endemicities in the Mount Cameroon region. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 86(5), 2012, pp. 764–774. |
