The Molecular Biology laboratory is a core unit providing an integrated state-of-the-art Molecular Platform serving all the departments at the Institute of Primate research. The unit has three sections namely biomedical, population Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic section. The primary objective of research in the lab is to delineate cell-cell interaction pathways of pathogenic and symbiotic microbes with their eukaryotic hosts. These pathways can be loosely defined as the amalgam of molecules (small and macro) and interactions that relay information about the microbe to the host, and, likewise, about the host to the microbe. In a manner analogous to espionage, this exchange of information is fraught with deceit, which can be to the benefit or detriment of either the microbe or the host. Ultimately, such crosstalk has the capacity to dictate the outcome of an infection.

The goal of the research in this laboratory is prevention and control of important infectious diseases of animals and man. For this purpose, the ecology/genetics of pathogens is thoroughly studied at the levels of their host animal populations, individuals, tissues, cells and molecules.

The research efforts thus focus on:
1) The origin, evolution (Population Genetics/Diversity/Barcoding) and perpetuation mechanism of pathogens in nature (Molecular Epidemiology);
2) Host range, route of transmission, pathogenesis and immunology of the infections through in vivo and in vitro analyses of the host-parasite interactions (Immunogenetics and the Molecular Basis of Pathogenicity);
3) Development of strategies for prevention and control of infections (Development of Rapid Diagnostic kit/Recombinant vaccines);

A broad understanding that spans the organismal and molecular levels of these interspecies communication pathways is critical for the development of new diagnostic kits, therapeutic routes and therapeutics.

For Details and Collaboration Contact: Dr. Joseph M Kamau at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it