Ezenwa James Onyemata, PhD
Areas of expertise
- Sequencing of HIV strains for Drug Resistance Mutations (HIVDR) and sub-typing
- Structural studies using NMR and X-ray crystallography
- Extraction and qualification of macro-molecules (RNA and DNA) and gene amplification using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Cloning of amplicons into vector/plasmid systems
- Small and large scale expression screen, large-scale recombinant protein expression, purification (affinity, ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography) and quantification.
- Protein characterization using non-denaturing and denaturing Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) and calibrated size exclusion chromatography
Educational Qualifications
- Ph.D. (Biotechnology), University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
- MSc. (Structural Biology), Universities of Cape Town and the Western Cape, South Africa.
- BSc. Honours (Biotechnology), University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
- BSc. Honours (Microbiology), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Biography
Ezenwa James Onyemata is a research scientist at the International Research Center of Excellence (IREC), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), where he doubles as a Research Manager and lead of Laboratory Unit. He holds a doctorate in Biotechnology and has over 15 years of experience in research and project implementation. Since joining IHVN, Dr. Onyemata has been extensively involved in the sequencing of HIV to understand molecular basis for Drug Resistance Mutations (HIVDR), sub-typing and for improved patient management. He is experienced in the design of constructs for gene amplification, recombinant protein production and purification for a variety of downstream applications including structure solution studies and vaccine production related activities. As an EDCTP-TDR Clinical Research and Development Fellow, Dr. Onyemata gained some experience in project management on 3 vaccine trial projects at various pre-clinical development stages as a trainee project manager at the European Vaccine Initiative (EVI). In addition, through research funds from the fellowship studies, Dr. Onyemata is focused on a proof of concept study initially using an invitro approach to develop a low cost method that allows the measurement of ARV levels and thereafter applying this for adherence monitoring strategies for ART exposed People Living With HIV (PLWH), for sustained effectiveness of treatment regimen. Dr. Onyemata is passionate for research that has immediate and long term patient benefit and is interested in incorporating the omics (genomics, proteomics and metabolomics) for addressing biological/health related challenges. Dr Onyemata has authored/co-authored several peer reviewed manuscripts and made several abstracts presentations at local and international conferences.
Laboratory Unit
The Laboratory unit at IRCE provides laboratory-based support for implementation projects collaboratively with other IRCE units and in particularly IHVN’s Laboratory Service Department. The scope of support of the unit ranges from identification of test menu, costing, data generation and analysis for various phases of research projects from the conceptualizing stage of grant application to full project implementation. The unit also participates actively in discussions and the provision of expertise in support of full operationalization of all research core laboratories within IHVN, supporting the Quality Assurance and IHVN’s Laboratory Service Departments towards accreditation of IHVN’s diagnostic and research core laboratories.