Career History

• 2015 - Present: Lecturer in Biochemistry, University of East London, Stratford, London

• 2014 - Present: Director of Research and Training, Bioscience Research Education and Advisory Centre, Nigeria

• 2013 - 2015: Research Associate in Diabetes, Diabetes Research Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, United Kingdom

• 2011 - 2014: Lecturer I: Chevron Biotechnology Centre/Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria

• 2009 - 2011: Lecturer II: Chevron Biotechnology Centre/Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria

• 2006 - 2009: Assistant Lecturer: Chevron Biotechnology Centre/Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria

• 2004 - 2006: Lecturer III: Department of Integrated Science, Federal College of Education, Yola, Nigeria

• 2001 - 2004: Assistant Lecturer: Department of Integrated Sciences, Federal College of Education, Yola, Nigeria

• 1999 - 2001: NYSC/Part-time Lecturer: Department of Biology, Federal College of Education, Yola, Nigeria

 

Research Interests

• Bio-prospecting for novel anti-diabetic drugs

• In silico drug design

• Actions of structurally modified peptides

• Role of environmental chemicals in the development of type 2 diabetes

• Investigation of the role of reactive metabolites in late diabetic complications

 

 

Brief Profile

Dr. Ojo holds a first degree in Biochemistry from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; M.Tech in Biochemistry from Federal University of Technology (Now Modibbo Adama University of Technology), Yola and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK.  He has extensive professional training and research experience involving the use of cell-based assays in drug discovery/development for human diseases (including diabetes and cancer). His career started as a Lecturer in Integrated Science at Federal College of Education, Yola, Nigeria before his employment as one of the pioneer Scientists at Chevron Biotechnology Centre and a Lecturer in the department of Biotechnology of Federal University of Technology, Yola. Prior to co-founding BREAC and taking up appointment as its Director for Research and Training, Dr. Ojo was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Molecular Biosciences at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK. He is a Chartered Scientist, a Fellow of The Institute of Biomedical Science, UK and an Associate of the Royal Society of UK. He is also a member of several professional bodies in Europe, America and Africa. He is a patent holder and has authored several book chapters and peer reviewed scientific publications in the general areas of biomedical sciences, proteomics, drug discovery, diabetes and cancer therapy, natural products and bioinformatics. He is a recipient of several awards including the Young Endocrinologist Trainee Award of the Society of Endocrinology (2012), O’Donovan Medal of the Irish Endocrine Society (2011), EASD Young Scientists Training Award of the European Society for the Study of Diabetes (2011), the Vice Chancellor Research Scholarship, University of Ulster, Coleraine (2009) and the Innovators of Tomorrow Award by STEP-B Project, Nigeria (2009). He is the Chief Scientific Officer/Chief Executive Officer of Cecejyde Lifesciences Ltd.

 

Selected Publications

 

• Ojo OO, Srinivasan DS, Owolabi BO, Flatt PR and Abdel-Wahab YHA (2015). Magainin-related peptides stimulate insulin-release and improve glucose tolerance in high fat fed mice. Protein and Peptide Letters (In Press).

 

• Ojo OO, Srinivasan DS, Owolabi BO, Flatt PR and Abdel-Wahab YHA (2015).Beneficial effects of tigerinin-1R on glucose homeostasis and beta cell function in mice with diet-induced obesity-diabetes. Biochimie 109:18-26 

 

• Ojo OO, Srinivasan DS, Owolabi BO, Flatt PR and Abdel-Wahab YHA (2015). Magainin-AM2 improves glucose homeostasis, and beta cell function in high fat fed mice. BBA General Subjects, 1850:80-87.

 

• Hannan JMA, Ojo OO, Ali L, Rokeya B, Khaleque J, Akhter M, Flatt PR, Abdel-Wahab YHA (2014). Actions underlying antidiabetic effects of Ocimum sanctum leaf extracts in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. European Journal of Medicinal Plants 5:1-12

 

• Thomson HAJ, Ojo OO, Flatt PR, Abdel-Wahab YHA (2014). Antidiabetic actions of aqueous bark extract of Swertia chirayita on insulin secretion, cellular glucose uptake and protein glycation. Journal of Integrative and Experimental Medicine 4(4):268-272

 

• Ojo OO (2014). In vitro insulinotropic actions of various extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves. Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology, 27:14-20

 

• Thomson HAJ, Ojo OO, Flatt PR and Abdel-Wahab YHA (2014). Aqueous bark extracts of Terminalia arjuna stimulates insulin release, enhances insulin action and inhibits starch digestion and protein glycation in vitro. Austin Journal of Endocrinology and Diabetes, 1:1-6.

 

• Fatumo SA, Adoga MP, Ojo OO, Oluwagbemi O, Adeoye TA, Ewejobi I, Adebiyi M, Adebiyi E, Clement B, Oyekanmi, N (2014). Computational Biology and Bioinformatics in Nigeria. PLOS Computational Biology, 10 (4):E1003516 (1-7).

 

• Srinivasan D, Ojo OO, Abdel-Wahab YH, Flatt PR, Guilhaudis L, Conlon JM. (2014). Insulin-releasing and cytotoxic properties of the frog skin peptide, tigerinin-1R: A structure-activity study. Peptides 14: 43-46.

 

• Ojo OO, Flatt PR, Abdel-Wahab YHA and Conlon JM (2013). Insulin-Releasing Peptides. In: Kastin AJ (Ed), Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides (2nd Edition). Oxford: Elsevier, pp. 364-370. ISBN 978-0-12-385095-9

 

• Ojo OO, Abdel-Wahab YHA, Flatt PR and Conlon JM. (2013). Insulinotropic actions of the frog skin host-defense peptide alyteserin-2a: a structure-activity study. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 82 (2): 196-204.

 

• Ojo OO, Conlon JM, Flatt PR & Abdel-Wahab YHA. (2013). Frog skin peptides (tigerinin-1R, magainin-AM1, AM2, CPF-AM1 and PGla-AM1) stimulate secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) by GLUTa cells. Biochemistry Biophysics Research Communications,  431(1): 14-18

 

• Ojo OO (2013). Introduction to Bioinformatics. In: Ogbonna JC, Ubi BE, Eweani IB (Eds), Fundamental, Industrial and Medical Biotechnology. A publication of Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, Beijing: Universal Academic Services, pp78 – 118. ISBN 978-978-993-166-6c

 

• Jide-Ojo CC, Gungula DT and Ojo OO (2013). Extracts of Jatropha curcas L. exhibit significant insecticidal and grain protectant effects against maize weevil, Sitophilus Zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Stored Products and Postharvest Research, 4(3): 44 -50.

 

• Ojo OO, Abdel-Wahab YHA, Flatt PR, Mechkarska M and Conlon JM (2011). Tigerinin-1R: a potent, non-toxic insulin-releasing peptide isolated from the skin of the Asian frog, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism,  13(12):1114-1122

 

• Zahid OK, Mechkarska M, Ojo OO, Abdel-Wahab YHA, Flatt PR, Meetani MA, and Conlon JM (2011). Caerulein- and xenopsin-related peptides with insulin-releasing activities from skin secretions of the clawed frogs, Xenopus borealis and Xenopus amieti (Pipidae). General and comparative endocrinology. 172(2): 314-320

 

• Jide-Ojo CC and Ojo OO (2011). Evaluation of the biological effects of leaf extracts of Jatropha curcas against Sitophilus Zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Electronic journal of environmental, agricultural and food chemistry. 10(5): 2166 – 2172

 

• Mechkarska M, Ojo OO, Meetani MA, Coquet L, Jouenne T, Abdel-Wahab YHA, Flatt PR, King JD and Conlon JM  (2011). Peptidomic analysis of skin secretions from the bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus (Ranidae) identifies multiple peptides with potent insulin-releasing activity. Peptides, 32(2): 203 – 208

 

• Ojo OO and Omabe M (2010). Incorporating bioinformatics into biological science education in Nigeria: Prospects and challenges. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 11: 784 – 787

 

• Tella IO, Ojo OO, Omijeh JE and Eronmosele, JE (2008). Control of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia in rats using Psidium Guajava extracts. Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology. 13: 32 – 38

 

• Omijeh JE, Ojo OO, Tella IO, and Eronmosele JE (2008). Aqueous extract of Anacardium occidentale reduces hyperglycaemia induced by streptozotocin in rats. Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology. 13: 24 – 29.

 

• Ayuba DK, Tella IO and Ojo OO (2008). Bioactive secondary plant compounds in the foliage and stem bark of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn, grown in Yola, Adamawa State. Journal of Research in Bioscience, 4 (3):111 -117

 

• Ayuba DK, Tella IO and Ojo OO (2008). Determination of infochemicals and the phytochemical screening of the foliage and stem-bark of Senna siamea (Lam.) grown in Yola, Adamawa State. International Journal of Bioscience, 3(2): 107 – 111

 

• Ojo OO and Ladeji, O (2007). Prevention of paracetamol induced-oxidative stress by extracts of some common Nigeria Trees. Biological and Environmental Science Journal for the Tropics. 4 (1): 65 – 69

 

• Ojo OO and Jide-Ojo CC (2007). Efficacy of the extracts of Cymbropogon citrates against acetaminophen-induced lipid peroxidation in rats. Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology, 12 (1): 34-39

 

• Ojo OO, Ladeji O and Nadro MS (2007). Studies of the antioxidative effects of green and black tea (camellia sinensis) extracts in rats. Journal of medicinal foods  10 (2): 373-378

 

• Ojo OO, Kabutu RF, Bello LM and Babayo U (2006). Inhibition of paracetamol-induced oxidative stress in rats by extracts of lemongrass (cymbropogon citratus) and green tea (camellia sinensis). African Journal of Biotechnology. 5(12): 1227 – 1232

 

• Ojo OO, Nadro MS and Tella IO (2006). Protection of rats by extracts of some common Nigerian trees against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. African Journal of Biotechnology 5(9): 755-  760

 

• Ojo OO, Jide-Ojo CC, Kabutu FR, Onyirioha N and Kyado SS (2006). Study of the antioxidative effects of lemon grass (Cymbropogon citratus) in rats. Nigerian Journal of Science, Technology and Environmental Education. 2: 51 – 57

 

• Kabutu RF, Ojo OO, Kyado J and Onyirioha N (2006). Factors that control teachers’ effectiveness in teaching primary science. Journal of Science, Technology and Environmental Education, 2: 124 – 130

 

• Ojo OO and Ladeji O (2005). Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Camellia sinensis (Black tea) in rats. African Journal of Biotechnology,  4 (11): 1432-1438

 

• Ojo OO, Tella IO and Ademola-Aremu OO (2005). Hepatoprotective effects of Azadirachta indica, Tamarindus indica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.  Journal of Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Environment. 1 (1): 77-85

 

• Tella IO and Ojo OO (2005). Effects of Azadirachta indica, Tamarindus indica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis on paracetamol-induced lipid peroxidation in rats. Journal of Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Environment. 1 (1): 86-95

 

• Ojo OO, Kabutu RF and Kidah MI (2005). Assessment of the Effectiveness of micro-computer as a teaching material in teaching of sciences: A case study of Federal college of Education, Yola.  Journal of General Studies in Education, 1: 8-12

 

Contact Details:

Emails: o.ojo@breacnigeria.org; o.ojo@lifesciences.cecejyde.org

Tel: +2347039068056, +447576232187

 

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