Molecular Medicine
RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
Background
The Molecular Medicine Department is a teaching and research department of school of medical sciences. The mission and vision of the department is in consonance with that of the university to create an enabling environment for teaching, research training in biomedical sciences. The department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into the chemical and immunological basis of infectious and chronic diseases prominent in our sub-region.
In addition, the Department teaches Medical Students, Allied Health Science Students and Pharmacy Students all in the College of Health Sciences. Moreover, the Department offers graduate training and conduct research into chemical and immunological basis of chronic and infectious diseases of public health importance to Ghana and the world at large.
Overview of Department Research Output and Available Facilities
The Department of Molecular Medicine consists of 9 senior members (2 Associate Professors, 2 Senior Lecturers and 5 Lecturers). Senior members of the department conducts active research in areas of chemical and immunological mechanisms of communicable and non-communicable diseases notably: human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic syndrome, infertility, Hepatitis B and C viral infections, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer and pro-inflammatory and inflammatory patterns associated with these conditions. This is evidenced in many publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals by senior members of the department. The department currently has a PCR machine with its accessories and consumables, an ELISA plate reader, a vertical and horizontal electrophoresis set for gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamides gel electrophoresis and Western blot with its accessories and consumables. Ultimately, the department desire to set up state-of- art molecular laboratory for graduate training and diagnosis of infectious diseases. Nevertheless, department has research collaboration with the KCCR, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, some private laboratories and also with the following departments and units: Medicine, Anatomy, Behavioural/Psychiatry Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Surgery, Urology, Oncology and Pharmacology, pathology, and child health of KATH.
Students Research Highlight
The Department offers graduate training and research programmes leading to the award of M.Sc. /M.Phil. /Ph.D. in Chemical Pathology/ Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Immunology in thematic areas of faculty members. In our quest to promote research in our department, we organize weekly research forum for Senior Members, teaching assistance, and Postgraduate Students. Some of our students has had their abstract accepted for oral and poster presentation at local and international conferences (Liverpool and Ghana Biomedical Convention in Cape Coast).
Innovations borne out of research
Some faculty members has had training opportunities in molecular techniques and nucleic acid engineering for diagnosis and therapeutic applications in Michigan state university and Aptagen, Pennsylvania respectively.