NELLY TATCHOU

Background

Nelly Tatchou is a dedicated biochemist with a strong academic and research background in molecular biotechnology and functional genetics. She earned her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Buea in 2015, followed by an M.Sc. in Molecular Biotechnology from the same institution in 2018. Her master’s research focused on the isolation and molecular characterisation of phytate-degrading lactic acid bacteria, aiming to enhance mineral absorption in the human body through probiotic-enriched food products. This involved a series of experiments including bacterial isolation, 16S rRNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, in vitro and in vivo assessments, and the development of a probiotic yogurt using validated strains. Since 2020, she has been pursuing a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, with her thesis centered on the functional validation of CYP6P4a and CYP6P4b insecticide resistance genes in Anopheles funestus, a major malaria vector in Africa. In 2024, she joined the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) as a research assistant under the AVecGen project, contributing to the implementation of functional genomics platforms.

Research

Making use of functional genetics techniques including protein expression and insecticide metabolism assays, Gal4-UAS Transgenic expression, RNA interference, quantitative real time PCR, protein modelling and molecular docking. These techniques were employed in the study of two cytochrome P450 genes and their role in insecticide resistance escalation in the Anopheles funestus malaria vector in Africa. Study enabled the development of two insecticide resistance molecular diagnostic tools to track insecticide resistance in the field mosquitoes to help the implementation adequate resistance management strategies

• Areas of interest:

Nelly Tatchou has keen interest in the use of cutting-edge functional genetics technologies in: -Studying the functional role of genes in important phenotypes like insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. -Developing molecular markers for rapid detection and tracking of insecticide resistance, and for guiding the implementation of effective vector control measures. – Genetic engineering (CRISPR-Cas, Gene drive) – Population genetics

 

Other Relevant  Expertise, Professional Memberships 

–Recombinant enzyme expression and purification-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) operation –Member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)  –  —Member of Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA

• Supervisor

Prof. Charles Wondji

• Research groups

-Member of Wondji Research Unit (WoRu) at CRID

-Member of the functional genomics unit at CRID

• Publications

  • 1. Nelly M.T. Tatchou-Nebangwa, L.M. J. Mugenzi, A. Muhammad, D. N. Nebangwa, …and C.S. Wondji (2024). Two highly selected mutations in the tandemly duplicated CYP6P4a and CYP6P4b drive pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles funestus in West Africa. BMC Biology DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915‑024‑02081‑y. 2. Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Mersimine F.  M.  Kouamo, Magellan Tchouakui, Abdullahi Muhammad, Leon J.L. Mugenzi, Nelly M.T. Tatchou-Nebangwa, … and Charles S. Wondji (2024). A single mutation G454A in P450 CYP9K1 drives pyrethroid resistance in the major 2malaria vector Anopheles funestus reducing bed net efficacy. Genetics, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyae181. 3. R.A Shey, S.M. Ghogomu, D.N. Nebangwa, C.M. Shintouo, N.E. Yaah, B.N. Yengo, F.N. Nkemngo, K.K. Esoh, Nelly M.T. Tatchou, T.T Mbachick, A.F Dede, … and Jacob Souopgui (2022). Rational Design of a Novel Multi-Epitope Peptide-Based Vaccine against Onchocerca volvulus Using Transmembrane Proteins. Frontiers Tropical Diseases, 3:1046522. https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2022.1046522