Dr Anastasia Aikins
Office Room Number
F14
Dr. Anastasia Rosebud Aikins
Academic Appointment

Senior Lecturer

Education
  • BSc (Biochemistry) , University of Ghana
  • MPhil. (Biochemistry), UG
  • PhD (Biotechnology) Korea University
Summary of Research Interests
  • Cancer Chemotherapy and Immunology
Courses taught
  • VBAS 114 Veterinary Biochemistry I
  • BCMB 405 Cell Signalling
  • BCMB 413 Immunology and Immunochemistry
  • BCMB 609 Advanced Immune Responses
  • BCMB 608 Signal Transduction
Research Interest

I apply my knowledge in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology as well as a Cancer Immunology in most of the research I do. Currently, the bulk of my research work is in the area of Cancer Biology focusing on Immunology, Cell and Molecular Biology of cancer. Prior to my doctoral studies, my area of research was focused in malaria Immunology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. My doctoral training focused mainly on investigating the anti-cancer and anti-vascularization effects of transgelin- a cytoskeletal-associated protein implicated in cancer. I have also been involved in determining the anti-cancer effects of agents such as cell surface receptor inhibitors and some natural products. I also participated in studies involving the effect of low-frequency electromagnetic fields on neural stem cell differentiation during my doctoral program. My six-year research experience in Immunology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research prior to my doctoral training has also contributed to endowing me with the capabilities of investigating the mechanisms of immune responses triggered by the cancer cells and the implications for cancer treatment. Currently I have been investigating the role of some compounds, molecular markers and immune markers on cancer progression including vasculogenic mimicry (an alternative form of tumor vascularization) and the mechanisms involved with the aim of coming up with findings that would give insights and better strategies for improving chemotherapeutics for cancer.

Selected Publications
  • Plange PNA, Aikins AR, Brobbey KJ, Kaufmann EE. Cassava microfiber–reinforced gelatin scaffold holds promise for tissue engineering by exhibiting cytocompatibility with HEK 293 cells. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2023;0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/15353702231168143
  • Fosu, K., Quarshie, J. T., Sarpong, K. A. N., & Aikins, A. R. (2023). Inverse Comorbidity between Down Syndrome and Solid Tumors: Insights from In Silico Analyses of Down Syndrome Critical Region Genes. Genes, 14(4), 800. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14040800
  • Aikins AR, Birikorang PA, Sabah SB, et al. Caffeic Acid Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Stemness of DU-145 Prostate Cancer Cells. Natural Product Communications. 2023;18(8). https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X231193848
  • Quarshie, J. T., Fosu, K., Offei, N. A., Sobo, A. K., Quaye, O., & Aikins, A. R. (2023). Cryptolepine Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation, Stemness, and Metastatic Processes by Inhibiting WNT/β-Catenin Signaling. Pharmaceuticals, 16(7), 1026. MDPI AG. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16071026
  • Aikins AR, Kim M, Raymundo B, Kim C-W. Featured Article: Downregulation of transgelin blocks interleukin-8 utilization and suppresses vasculogenic mimicry in breast cancer cells. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2017;242(6):573-583. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370216685435