Carlos Djoko

Background

Carlos Simeon Djoko Tagne is Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the faculty of science (FS), University of Bamenda (UBa). He holds an M.Sc. Degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from the University of Bamenda in 2019 and a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the same institution (2016). His Ph.D. research at the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) focused on the “Functional validation of a Candidate Cyp9k1 gene, in resistance to pyrethroid insecticide in the African malaria vector Anopheles funestus”. For this work he employed a wide range of Functional genetics and genomics approaches to characterize the candidate CYP9K1 gene, detecting key genetic changes that drive insecticide resistance. This research facilitated the development of field-applicable molecular diagnostics, now integrated into vector control toolbox and currently used to monitor the spread of metabolic resistance in field mosquito populations. After completing his Ph.D. research in 2025, Carlos is currently a Research Assistant and Co-lead of the Functional Genomics unit under the African Centre for Vector Genomics (AVecGen) project, which aims to set up a functional genomics platform and build capacity among African scientists in Functional genomics Techniques.

Research

Carlos Djoko’s research investigates the genetic and molecular basis of insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus mosquitoes across Africa. He applies genetic diversity techniques such as RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, primer design, PCR amplification, DNA cloning, sequencing, and sequence analysis to detect key mutations linked to resistance.
Through functional genomics, he combines in silico modelling and docking of insecticides in enzyme binding sites with in vitro methods like quantitative real-time PCR, recombinant protein expression, and metabolism assays. In vivo approaches, including transgenic expression of candidate genes in Drosophila melanogaster using the GAL4-UAS system, RNA interference, and genotype-phenotype correlation studies, confirm the role of resistant genes in driving insecticide resistance.
Djoko also designs and validates molecular diagnostic assays. By identifying mutations in overexpressed genes, he develops DNA-based tools such as allele-specific PCR, locked nucleic acid assays, and PCR-RFLP. These diagnostics enable monitoring of resistance spread in field mosquito populations and help anticipate cross-resistance to new insecticide chemistries.
In summary, his work integrates molecular biology, functional genomics, and diagnostic innovation to strengthen malaria vector control strategies.

• Areas of interest:

-Genetic Polymorphism studies and detection of molecular markers. -Up-to-date Functional genomics and gene editing techniques such as: a.    The CRISPR-Cas Gene Editing technique. b.    Various “omics” techniques (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics). c.     Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), population genetics. d.    In silico modelling and docking. -Genotype vs Phenotype association studies. -Developing field applicable molecular assays.

 

Other Relevant  Expertise, Professional Memberships 

Member of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Member of Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Member of Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA)-Cameroon Chapter Member of the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) Member of Biostruct Africa working group

• Supervisor

Prof. Charles Wondji

• Research groups

-Member of Wondji Research Unit (WoRu) at CRID

-Member of the functional genomics unit at CRID

• Publications

  • 1. Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Mersimine F M Kouamo, Magellan Tchouakui, Abdullahi Muhammad, Leon J L Mugenzi, Nelly M T Tatchou-Nebangwa, Riccado F Thiomela, Mahamat Gadji, Murielle J Wondji, Jack Hearn, Mbouobda H Desire, Sulaiman S Ibrahim, Charles S Wondji (2025). A single mutation G454A in the P450 CYP9K1 drives pyrethroid resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus reducing bed net efficacy, Genetics, 2024; iyae181, https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyae181. 2. Tatchou-Nebangwa, N. M. T., Mugenzi, L. M. J., Muhammad, A., Nebangwa, D. N., Kouamo, M. F. M., Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Tekoh, T. A., Tchouakui, M., Ghogomu, S. M., Ibrahim, S. S., & Wondji, C. S. (2024). Two highly selected mutations in the tandemly duplicated CYP6P4a and CYP6P4b genes drive pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles funestus in West Africa. BMC Biol 22, 286 2024. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-024-02081-y. 3. Ambrose Oruni, Magellan Tchouakui, Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Jack Hearn, Jonathan Kayondo & Wondji, C. S. (2024). Temporal evolution of insecticide resistance and bionomics in Anopheles funestus, a key malaria vector in Uganda. Sci Rep 14, 32027 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83689-6. 4.  Hearn, J., Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Ibrahim, S. S., Tene-Fossog, B., Mugenzi, L. M. J., Irving, H., Riveron, J. M., Weedall, G. D., & Wondji, C. S. (2022). Multi-omics analysis identifies a CYP9K1 haplotype conferring pyrethroid resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles funestus in East Africa. Molecular Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16497. 5.  Tchouakui M, Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Tazokong HR, Jonas A. Kengne Ouafo, Mersimine Kouamo, Derrick Fofie, Arnaud Tepa, Murielle Wondji, Sulaiman S. Ibrahim & Charles S. Wondji (2025). A COEAE80 esterase variant and P450-suppression drive chlorfenapyr resistance in malaria vectors [version 1] VeriXiv 2025, 2:355 https://doi.org/10.12688/verixiv.2295.1. 6. Wondji S.C., Ngannang-fezeu, Mangoua, M., M., Gadji, M., Mugenzi L., Oruni, A., Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Tchouakui M., Sulaiman S. Ibrahim & Bigoga, J (2025). The argininosuccinate lyase gene exacerbates pyrethroid resistance in the major African vectors Anopheles funestus Version published to 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6063665/v1 on Research Square. 7. David P. Tchouassi, Amine M. Mustapha, Gilbert Rotich, Trizah K. Milugo, Brenda Musimbi, Ambrose Oruni, Carlos S. D. Tagne, Luna Kamau, Mahamat Gadji, Magellan Tchouakui, Baldwyn Torto & Charles S. Wondji (2025). Signature of resistance gene evolution and pyrethroid resistance escalation in the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus across the Kenyan Rift Valley Version published to 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8224847/v1 on Research Square.