The Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET) seeks to advance knowledge in the fields of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences. The Center is involved in cutting-edge cross disciplinary research in drug discovery, immunotherapeutics and vaccine development against infectious diseases and cancer. Epigenetics and nutrigenomics research is also carried out in the Centre.Established in 2017 through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) special intervention fund, CAMRET is situated in the Teaching Hospital Campus of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. It is administered by a Coordinator and several Research Associates that are appointed by the Vice Chancellor from relevant Departments of the University. The Centre is divided into laboratories that house state-of-the-art molecular biology equipment, which are directly supervised by research assistants. It serves the research needs of the university staff, students and visitors
Our Mission
CAMRET aspires to be will be one of the most significant developments in Nigerian biomedical science in recent times with the goal to understand the basic biology underlying human health, driving forward better treatment and prevention of the most significant diseases affecting people today Transfer and develop the newest medical, agricultural, and environmental biotechnologies. Provide settings that encourage creativity and use biotechnology to prevent, diagnose, and cure common problems in the society.
Our Vision
CAMRET vision is to initiate and conduct top quality basic and applied research in the health and life sciences using molecular tools, in support of the University objectives. We will strive to develop and sustain a multidisciplinary, talented, and motivated research team; and ensure the transfer of our knowledge, science, and technology to all sectors in the service of humanity.
Rapid Identification and evaluation of potential therapeutics for COVID-19
Principal Investigator: Prof. Shuaibu O. Bello (Pharmacology and Therapeutics)
Pre-clinical studies and standardization of Ochna Kibbiensis leaves extract for use as a
potential brain cancer therapy Principal Investigator: Prof. Ismail Musa (Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry)
In-vivo anti-colon cancer investigation and mechanism of action studies of 5-methylcoumarin-4β-glucoside isolated from Vernonia glaberrima (Welw. ex O.Hoffm.) H. Rob. Principal Investigator: Dr. Mustapha Umar Imam (Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics)
Epigenetic implications of perinatal hypozincemia on offsprings’ cardiometabolic health
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mustapha Umar Imam (Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics)
White rice and transgenerational risk of insulin resistance Principal Investigator: Dr. Mustapha Umar Imam (Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics)
Rational design and generation of a specific antivenom targeting carpet viper snake (Echis ocellatus) toxins using a recombinant DNA immunisation approach. Principal Investigator: Dr. Bashir Muhammad Bello
Development of a polyvalent DNA vaccine for the prevention of Lassa fever in Nigeria.Principal Investigator: Dr. Bashir Muhammad Bello
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
1. Hands-on workshops and trainings on basic molecular biology and bioinformatics
2. Weekly seminar presentations by staff and students on different aspects of biomedicine
3. Regular progress meetings by various biomedical research groups
POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
CAMRET has a close working relationship with the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine as well as the Faculty of Life sciences in the University. In most cases, the core teaching of relevant courses is carried out in the faculties while research activities by postgraduates are carried out at the Centre by experienced researchers using state-of-the-art integrated approaches.
The centre offers scholarships for exceptional students, drawn from relevant Departments of the University, every academic year. Our current beneficiaries of the postgraduate scholarship are:
S/N
Name
Programme
Project title
1.
Kamaldeen Olalekan Sanusi
Ph.D. Physiology
A transgenerational study of the metabolic outcomes and DNA methylation status following parental zinc deficiency in fruit flies
2.
John Adejor
MPhil/Ph.D. Biochemistry
A transgenerational study of cardiac lipotoxicity following parental zinc deficiency in fruit flies
3.
Yusuf Abdurrahman Pharmacy
M.Sc. Biochemistry
A transgenerational study on biomarkers of aging following parental hypozincemia and high fat diet treatment in fruit flies
4.
Yaaqub Abiodun Uthman
M.Sc. Physiology
Investigation of 5-methylcoumarin-4β-glucoside administration on Wnt signaling in mice with colorectal cancer
5.
Dawoud Usman
M.Sc. Physiology
Investigation of cell cycle and death mediated activity of 5-methylcoumarin-4β-glucoside against murine colorectal cancer
6.
Kehinde Ahmad Adeshina
M.Sc. Physiology
Role of gut microbiota and inflammation in the potential therapeutic effect of 5-methylcoumarin-4β-glucoside against colorectal cancer
7.
Mutolib Olabayo Olatubosun
M.Sc. Biochemistry
Investigation of MLH1 methylation and global H3K27 acetylation following 5-methylcoumarin-4β-glucoside administration in mice with colorectal cancer
8.
Saheed Olanrewaju Saka
M.Sc. Physiology
White rice consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress in fruit flies
9.
Salisu Yusuf Yahaya
M.Sc. Biochemistry
Rice consumption and the risk of developing insulin resistance and oxidative stress in fruit flies
10.
Hauwau Muhammad Sahabi
M.Sc. Biochemistry
Antioxidant and metabolic effects of different rice varieties in fruit flies.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Malami, I., Bunza, A. M., Alhassan, A. M., Muhammad, A., Abubakar, I. B., Yunusa, A.,Etti, I. C. (2020). Dihydroartemisinin as a potential drug candidate for cancer therapy: a structural-based virtual screening for multitarget profiling. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 1-16. (Impact factor: 3.22)
Malami, I., Jagaba, N. M., Abubakar, I. B., Muhammad, A., Alhassan, A. M., Waziri, P. M., Yakubu Yahaya, I. Z., Mshelia, H. E., Mathias, S. N. (2020). Integration of medicinal plants into the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of cancer in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Heliyon, 6(9), e04830. (Impact factor: 1.65)
Ismail, M., Alsalahi, A., Imam, M. U., Ooi, D. J., Khaza’ai, H., Aljaberi, M. A., … & Idrus, Z. (2020). Safety and Neuroprotective Efficacy of Palm Oil and Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction from Palm Oil: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 12(2), 521. (Impact factor: 4.171)
Bello, M. B., Mahamud, S. N. A., Yusoff, K., Ideris, A., Hair-Bejo, M., Peeters, B. P., & Omar, A. R. (2020). Development of an Effective and Stable Genotype-Matched Live Attenuated Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccine Based on a Novel Naturally Recombinant Malaysian Isolate Using Reverse Genetics. Vaccines, 8(2), 270. (Impact factor: 4.76)
Ismail, M., Alsalahi, A., Khaza’ai, H., Imam, M. U., Ooi, D. J., Samsudin, M. N., & A Aljaberi, M. (2020). Correlation of Mortality Burdens of Cerebrovascular Disease and Diabetes Mellitus with Domestic Consumption of Soya and Palm Oils. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), 5410. (Impact factor: 2.849)
Abubakar, M. B., & Sanusi, K. O. (2020). Influence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genetic polymorphisms on petrol-induced toxicities: A systematic review. Meta Gene, 100796.
Jibril, A. H., Okeke, I. N., Dalsgaard, A., Kudirkiene, E., Akinlabi, O. C., Bello, M. B., & Olsen, J. E. (2020). Prevalence and risk factors of Salmonella in commercial poultry farms in Nigeria. PloS one, 15(9), e0238190.
Abubakar, B., Der Jiun, O., Imam, M. U., Ismail, M. Nutrigenomics and Antioxidants. In Nutraceuticals and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals. Charis A (Ed.). New Jersey, USA: Academic Press (Elsevier), 2019, pp. 33-70 (Book Chapter)
