Dr Abiola Isawumi is a Research Fellow at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, where he was awarded his doctorate degree in Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases.
As a trained Microbiologist with specific interests in bacteriology, molecular biology and hospital acquired infections, he leads an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research group at WACCBIP. He investigates the AMR mechanisms of common and novel superbugs (ESKAPE pathogens) prevalent and diversely distributed in hospital environments.
He’s leveraging phenotypic algorithms and molecular tools to develop diverse novel assays to understand opportunistic-pathogens antibiotics-evasion pathways that can inform treatment strategies. He’s advancing research efforts into how modifications of the bacterial surface mercenaries including lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can provide insights into bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. Since bacterial motility and biofilm mechanisms are two inseparable phenotypic properties of antimicrobial resistant bacteria; Dr Abiola is establishing how biofilm-motility interplay in bacteria is moderated by quorum sensory genes and AMR transcriptional expression factors.
While unravelling AMR mechanisms, he’s also leveraging phage-technology to develop a phage-based antibiotic adjuvant to potentiate redundant conventional antibiotics for possible therapeutic purposes. Although animal models are the golden standard for virulence and immunological infection studies, Dr Abiola is leading a new initiative into finding an alternative infection model with ease of access that can further facilitate excellent hypothesis-driven research into microbial pathogenicity.
As a blend of academic skills and diverse research expertise, Dr Abiola is committed to mentoring students, upcoming researchers and invests his time in encouraging young emerging leaders to achieve their dreams.
