Prof Samuel Kojo Kwofie

Director, Institute of Applied Science and Technology

Contact info skkwofie@ug.edu.gh

About

Prof. Kwofie is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology. He is a Life Member of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge in UK. He was a Visiting Scientist at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, funded by the Isaac Newton Trust and Visiting College Research Associate at Wolfson College. He was also a CAPREx Research Fellow at Cambridge University, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Alborada Trust. Samuel is a Former Affiliate Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, USA. He was a Distinguished Visiting International Lecturer at the Department of Physics and Engineering Science, Coastal Carolina University (CCU), Conway, SC, USA, and currently serves on the Board of the Engineering Program at CCU. He is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.  He also teaches and supervises graduate students at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens; and Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana. He supervises research projects in bioinformatics, drug discovery, machine learning and computational bioengineering. His research focus involves viral metagenomics using next generation sequencing and discovery of natural product-derived lead compounds for neglected tropical disease. Also, he is a research collaborator with the Noguchi/H3AfricaBioNet Consortium. He has co-organized and facilitated the H3ABioNet funded bioinformatics workshops. Overall, he has trained numerous researchers and students in bioinformatics and computational biology skills in Ghana.

Education

BSc (Kumasi), MSc (UCT), PhD (UWC)

Research Interest

His ongoing research with collaborators at Cambridge University, include investigating the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of viral pathogens, from samples taken from individuals presenting to clinics in Ghana with symptoms of viral haemorrhagic fever, using unbiased sequencing approaches.

OTHER PROJECTS
  •  Africa is endowed with abundant natural products which are potential therapeutic agents for emerging infections and neglected tropical diseases. My focus is to integrate in silico virtual screening and pharmacophore modeling to identify potential lead compounds.
  • The Use of Graph Theoric Algorithms to Prioritize Potential Candidate Disease Genes: The project aims to use existing and also develop novel graph theoric algorithms to analysis protein-protein interaction networks combined with functional genomic data to identify potential candidate disease genes for molecular characterization and validation.
  • Structural Bioinformatics of Infectious Pathogen: The project integrates the principles, algorithms and computational methods applicable in structural bioinformatics to provide comprehensive overview of cellular infections and host metabolic responses.
  • Development of Text Mining Platforms and Biomedical Databases: This project aims to use machine learning algorithms and natural language processing techniques to develop biomedical text mining platform to aid in the discovery of functional hypothesis of therapeutic relevance
SOFTWARES AND DATABASES DEVELOPED

TubPred

HCVpro

DESHCV

Publications

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  1. Agoni, C., Salifu, E..Y., Enslin, G., Kwofie, S..K. and Soliman, M..E. (2021), Dual-Inhibition of Human N-Myristoyltransferase Subtypes Halts Common Cold Pathogenesis: Atomistic Perspectives from The Case Of IMP-1088. Chem. Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202100748
  2. Darko, L.K.S.; Broni, E.; Amuzu, D.S.Y.; Wilson, M.D.; Parry, C.S.; Kwofie, S.K. (2021). Computational Study on Potential Novel Anti-Ebola Virus Protein VP35 Natural Compounds. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 1796. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9121796
  3. Kwofie, S. K., Agyenkwa-Mawuli, K., Adams, J., Anteh, P., Agyapong, O., & Wilson, M. D. (2021). Deep Neural Networks predict inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni thioredoxin glutathione reductase (SmTGR). Journal of Computational Biophysics and Chemistry. Published. https://doi.org/10.1142/s2737416521410040
  4. Kwofie, S.K.; Broni, E.; Yunus, F.U.; Nsoh, J.; Adoboe, D.; Miller, W.A., III; Wilson, M.D. (2021). Molecular Docking Simulation Studies Identifies Potential Natural Product Derived-Antiwolbachial Compounds as Filaricides against Onchocerciasis. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 1682. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9111682
  5. Agyapong, O., Miller, W.A., Wilson, M.D. & Kwofie, S.K. (2021). Development of a proteochemometric-based support vector machine model for predicting bioactive molecules of tubulin receptors. Mol Divers (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11030-021-10329-w
  6. Kwofie, S. K., Annan, D. G., Adinortey, C. A., Boison, D., Kwarko, G. B., Abban, R. A., & Adinortey, M. B. (2021). Identification of novel potential inhibitors of varicella-zoster virus thymidine kinase from ethnopharmacologic relevant plants through an in-silico approach. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2021.1977700
  7. Agyapong, O., Asiedu, S. O., Kwofie, S. K., Miller, W. A., Parry, C. S., Sowah, R. A., & Wilson, M. D. (2021). Molecular modelling and de novo fragment-based design of potential inhibitors of beta-tubulin gene of Necator americanus from natural products. Informatics in Medicine Unlocked, 26, 100734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imu.2021.100734
  8. Asiedu SO, Kwofie SK, Broni E, Wilson MD. (2021). Computational Identification of Potential Anti-Inflammatory Natural Compounds Targeting the p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK): Implications for COVID-19-Induced Cytokine Storm. Biomolecules. 2021; 11(5):653. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11050653.
  9. Kwofie, S.K.; Broni, E.; Asiedu, S.O.; Kwarko, G.B.; Dankwa, B.; Enninful, K.S.; Tiburu, E.K.; Wilson, M.D. (2021). Cheminformatics-Based Identification of Potential Novel Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Natural Compounds of African Origin. Molecules 2021, 26, 406. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26020406.
  10. Kwofie, S.K., Agyenkwa-Mawuli, K., Broni, E., Miller III, W.A., Wilson, MD. (2021). Prediction of antischistosomal small molecules using machine learning in the era of big data. Mol Divers (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11030-021-10288-2
  11. Sakyi P.O., Amewu R.K., Devine R.N.O.A., Ismail E., Miller W.A., & Kwofie SK. (2021). The Search for Putative Hits in Combating Leishmaniasis: The Contributions of Natural Products Over the Last Decade. Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-021-00311-2
  12. Gupta Y, Goicoechea S, Pearce CM, Mathur R, Romero JG, Kwofie SK, Weyenberg MC, Daravath B, Sharma N, Poonam, Akala HM, Kanzok SM, Durvasula R, Rathi B, Kempaiah P. (2021). The emerging paradigm of calcium homeostasis as a new therapeutic target for protozoan parasites. Med Res Rev. 2021 Apr 13. doi: 10.1002/med.21804. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33851452.https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21804
  13. Abdulai, I. L., Kwofie, S. K., Gbewonyo, W. S., Boison, D., Puplampu, J. B., & Adinortey, M. B. (2021). Multitargeted effects of Vitexin and Isovitexin on diabetes mellitus and its complications. The Scientific World Journal, 2021, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6641128.
  14. Sakyi, P.O., Amewu, R.K., Devine, R.N.O.A., Bienibuor, A.K., Miller, W.A., Kwofie, S.K. (2021). Unravelling the myth surrounding sterol biosynthesis as plausible target for drug design against leishmaniasis. J Parasit Dis (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-021-01390-1
  15. Kwofie, S.K.; Dolling, N.N.O.; Donkoh, E.; Laryea, G.M.; Mosi, L.; Miller, W.A., III; Adinortey, M.B.; Wilson, M.D. (2021). Pharmacophore-Guided Identification of Natural Products as Potential Inhibitors of Mycobacterium ulcerans Cystathionine γ-Synthase MetB. Computation 2021, 9, 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/computation9030032
  16. Broni, E.; Kwofie, S.K.; Asiedu, S.O.; Miller, W.A., III; Wilson, M.D. (2021). A Molecular Modeling Approach to Identify Potential Antileishmanial Compounds against the Cell Division Cycle (cdc)-2-Related Kinase 12 (CRK12) Receptor of Leishmania donovani. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 458. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11030458
  17. Korie NP, Tandoh KZ, Kwofie SK, Quaye O. (2021). Therapeutic potential of HIV-1 entry inhibitor peptidomimetics. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2021 Feb 17:1535370221990870. doi: 10.1177/1535370221990870. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33596698.
  18. Kwofie, S. K., Adobor, C., Quansah, E., Bentil, J., Ampadu, M., Miller, W. A., & Wilson, M. D. (2020). Molecular docking and dynamics simulations studies of OmpATb identifies four potential novel natural product-derived anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis compounds. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 122, 103811. doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.103811
  19. Crentsil, J. A., Yamthe, L. R., Anibea, B. Z., Broni, E., Kwofie, S. K., Tetteh, J. K., & Osei-Safo, D. (2020). Leishmanicidal Potential of Hardwickiic Acid Isolated From Croton sylvaticus. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00753
  20. Kwofie, S. K., Broni, E., Dankwa, B., Enninful, K. S., Teye, J., Davidson, C. R., . . . Miller, W. A. (2020). Review of Atypical Organometallic Compounds as Antimalarial Drugs. Journal of Chemistry, 2020, 1-9. doi:10.1155/2020/9414093
  21. Yamthe, L. R., Philips, T. J., Osei-Safo, D., Djouonzo, P. T., Agyapong, O., Dotse, E., . Kwofie, S. K . . Wilson, M. D. (2020). Antileishmanial effects of Sargassum vulgare products and prediction of trypanothione reductase inhibition by fucosterol. Future Drug Discovery. doi:10.4155/fdd-2020-0002
  22. Kwofie, S. K. Emmanuel Broni, Bismark Dankwa, Kweku S. Enninful, Gabriel B. Kwarko, Louis Darko, Ravi Durvasula, Prakasha Kempaiah, Brijesh Rathi, Whelton A. Miller III, Abu Yaya and Michael D. Wilson. (2020). “Outwitting an Old Neglected Nemesis: A Review on Leveraging Integrated Data-Driven Approaches to Aid in Unraveling of Leishmanicides of Therapeutic Potential”, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry (2020) 20: 1. https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026620666200128160454
  23. Kwofie, S. K.; Broni, E.; Teye, J.; Quansah, E.; Issah, I.; Wilson, M.D.; Miller, W.A.; Tiburu, E.K; Bonney, J.H.K. (2019).  Pharmacoinformatics-Based Identification of Potential Bioactive Compounds against Ebola Virus Protein VP24. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 103414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103414.
  24. Kwofie, S.K.; Enninful, K.S.; Yussif, J.A.; Asante, L.A.; Adjei, M.; Kan-Dapaah, K.; Tiburu, E.K.; Mensah, W.A.; Miller, W.A., III; Mosi, L.; Wilson, M.D. (2019). Molecular Informatics Studies of the Iron-Dependent Regulator (ideR) Reveal Potential Novel Anti-Mycobacterium ulcerans Natural Product-Derived Compounds. Molecules, 24, 2299.
  25. Kwofie, S.K.; Dankwa, B.; Enninful, K.S.; Adobor, C.; Broni, E.; Ntiamoah, A.; Wilson, M.D.  (2019). Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Studies Predict Munc18b as a Target of Mycolactone: A Plausible Mechanism for Granule Exocytosis Impairment in Buruli Ulcer Pathogenesis. Toxins, 11, 181.
  26. Arthur, P.K.; Yeboah, A.B.; Issah, I.; Balapangu, S.; Kwofie, S.K.; Asimeng, B.O.; Foster, E.J.; Tiburu, E.K. (2019). Electrochemical Response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Corresponds to Cell Viability upon Exposure to Dioclea reflexa Seed Extracts and Antifungal Drugs. Biosensors, 9, 45.
  27. Miller, W.A., III, Teye J., Achieng A. O., Mogire R. M., Akala H., Ong'echa J. M., Rathi B., Durvasula R., Kempaiah P., Kwofie S. K. (2019). Antimalarials: Review of Plasmepsins as Drug Targets and HIV Protease Inhibitors Interactions. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 18(23):2022-2028.
  28. Sowah, R.A.; Kuuboore, M.; Ofoli, A.; Kwofie, S.; Asiedu,L.; Koumadi, K.M.; Apeadu, K.O. (2019). Decision Support System (DSS) for Fraud Detection in Health Insurance Claims Using Genetic Support Vector Machines (GSVMs). Journal of Engineering, vol. 2019, Article ID 1432597, 19 pages, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1432597.
  29. Kwofie, S. K., Dankwa, B., Odame, E. A., Agamah, F. E., Doe, L. P. A., Teye, J., Agyapong, O.,  Miller, W.A., III, Mosi, L., Wilson, M.D. (2018). In Silico Screening of Isocitrate Lyase for Novel Anti-Buruli Ulcer Natural Products Originating from Africa. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(7).
  30. Essel, T. Y. A., Koomson, A., Seniagya, M. P. O., Cobbold, G. P., Kwofie, S. K., Asimeng, B. O., Arthur, P. K., Awandare, G., Tiburu, E. K. (2018). Chitosan Composites Synthesized Using Acetic Acid and Tetraethylorthosilicate Respond Differently to Methylene Blue Adsorption. Polymers, 10(5), 466.
  31. Tiburu, Elvis K., Issah, Ibrahim Darko,Mabel Armah-Sekum,Robert E. Gyampo, Stephen O. A.    Amoateng,Nadia Konadu, Kwofie, S. K., Awandare, G. (2018). Investigating the Conformation of S100β Protein Under Physiological Parameters Using Computational Modeling: A Clue for Rational Drug Design. The Open Biomedical Engineering Journal, 12(1874-1207).
  32. Asamoah, R. B., Yaya, A., Nyankson, E., Annan, E., Agyei-Tuffour, B., Efavi, J. K., Kan-Dapaah, K., Apalangya, V. A., Damoah, L. N. W., Dodoo-Arhin, D., Kwofie, S. K., Onwona-Agyeman, B. (2018). Industrial applications of clay materials from Ghana - a review. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 34(4).
  33. Kan-Dapaah, K., Asimeng, B. O., Kwofie, S. K., & Yaya, A. (2017). A plasmonic photo-thermal probe for thermoablation of post-operative breast cancer cells. Cogent Engineering, 4(1), 1331966.
  34. Tetteh, S., Bowen-Dodoo, L., & Kwofie, S. K. (2017). Ergonomics assessment of locally fabricated passenger seats in trotro vehicles in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Transport & Health, 6, 167–176.
  35. Frost, S. D. W., & Kwofie, S. K. (2016). Surveys, Serologies, and Sequences Reveal History of Iatrogenic Transmission of HIV-1. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 214(3), 341–343. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiw012
  36. Kwofie, S. K., Radovanovic, A., Sundararajan, V. S., Maqungo, M., Christoffels, A., & Bajic, V. B. (2011). Dragon exploratory system on Hepatitis C Virus (DESHCV). Infect Genet Evol. 11(4), 734-739.
  37. Maqungo, M., Kaur, M., Kwofie, S. K., Radovanovic, A., Schaefer, U., Schmeier, S., et al. (2011). DDPC: Dragon Database of Genes associated with Prostate Cancer. Nucleic Acids Res, 39(Database issue), D980-985.
  38. Kwofie, S. K., Schaefer, U., Sundararajan, V. S., Bajic, V. B., & Christoffels, A., (2011). Hepatitis C Virus Protein Interaction Database (HCVpro). Infect Genet Evol. 11(8), 1971-1977
Book Chapters

39. Kwofie, S. K., Kwarko, G.B., Broni, E., Adinortey, M.B., & Wilson, M.D. (2021). Molecular Informatics of Trypanothione Reductase of Leishmania major Reveals Novel Chromen-2-One Analogues as Potential Leishmanicides [Online First], IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.100594. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/79718 

40. Tiburu, E. K., Asiamah, R., Asimeng, B. O., Kwofie, S. K., Nyankson, E., & Gblerkpor, W. N. (2021). Electrochemical Response of Cells Using Bioactive Plant Isolates. Biosensors - Current and Novel Strategies for Biosensing. (ed Villarreal-Gómez L. J. and Iglesias A. L.), DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.95360. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/74584

 

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