Theresa Gwira Manful, PhD | Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology

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Theresa Gwira Manful, PhD

tmgwira@ug.edu.gh

Academic Appointment

Associate Professor

Office Room Number

S 13

Summary of Research Interests

Molecular Cell biology of African trypanosomes and Leishmania, Drug discovery, Vaccine development and diagnostics

Education

Academic Qualifications

BSc. Biochemistry, University of Ghana
MSc. Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg
PhD Molecular Biology, University of Heidelberg

Research Interest

Research Interests

Trypanosome Biology and Genotyping

✅ Focus on the biology and genotyping of trypanosomes in animals and tsetse flies.
✅ Over ten years of experience in genotyping trypanosomes and measuring mRNA levels from naturally infected cattle in Ghana.
✅ Development and utilization of highly sensitive methodologies for genetic characterization.

Management of Animal African Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis

✅ Characterization of lifetime trypanosome infections in cattle and tsetse flies.
✅ Investigation into drug resistance to common antitrypanosomals used for AAT treatment.
✅ Drug discovery efforts through exploration of both natural products and synthetic compounds.
✅ Collaboration with cattle farmers and researchers at the Ghana Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Control Unit (T&TCU) to address infection issues.

Courses taught

Courses Taught

CBAS210: Academic Writing I

BCMB311: Practical Biochemistry II

BCMB302: Cell Biology II

BCMB 410: Seminar Presentation and Scientific Writing

BCMB630: Research Methodology and Scientific Communications

MCBI602: Eukaryotic Infections: Protozoan, Helminthic and Fungal

BCMB708: Advances in Biomedical and Infectious Diseases Research

Selected Publications

Dofuor, A. K., Ademolue, T. S., Kuampah, K. N. A., Ayertey, F., and Gwira, T. M. (2022). In Vitro Mechanism of Action of Acanthospermum hispidum in Trypanosoma brucei. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci. 2022 Oct 18;2022:1645653. doi: 10.1155/2022/1645653. eCollection 2022.
Ekloh, W., Sunter, J. D., and Gwira, T. M. (2023). African trypanosome infection patterns in cattle in a farm setting in Southern Ghana. Acta Tropica;237:106721. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106721.
Smithson, L., Ihuoma Akazue, P., Findlater, L., Gwira, T. M., Vaughan, S., and Sunter, J. D. (2022). Diversity in new flagellum tip attachment in bloodstream from African trypanosomes. Molecular Microbiology. 2022 Sep 3. doi: 10.1111/mmi.14979. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36056717.
Ofori, J. A., Bakari, S. M., Bah, S., Kolugu, M. K., Aning, G. K., Awandare, G. A., Carrington, M., and Gwira, T. M. (2022). A longitudinal two-year survey of the prevalence of trypanosomes in domestic cattle in Ghana by massively parallel sequencing of barcoded amplicons. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 16(4), e0010300.
Amisigo, C. M., Antwi, C. A., Adjimani, J. P., and Gwira, T. M. (2019). In vitro anti-trypanosomal effects of selected phenolic acids on Trypanosoma brucei. PLoS ONE 14(5): e0216078. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216078
Antwi, C. A., Amisigo, C. M., Adjimani, J. P., and Gwira, T. M. (2019). In vitro activity and mode of action of phenolic compounds on Leishmania donovani. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 13(2), e0007206.
Bakari, S. M., Ofori, J. A., Kusi, K. A., Aning, G. K., Awandare, G. A., Carrington, M., and Gwira, T. M. (2017). Serum biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural African trypanosome infections in cattle. Parasites & Vectors, 10:312. doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2255-9.