Ogi Emeke Okwumabua, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.

The research in my laboratory centers on characterization of bacteria that cause disease in animals and human in an effort to understand the mechanism of disease process, uncover genetic diversity and relatedness for outbreaks situation, determine drug resistance and mechanism of gene transfer process including evolution and dissemination among bacterial pathogens. My laboratory also focuses on whole genome sequence determination and analysis of zoonotic bacteria to understand genomic content differences, which may influence adaptive molecular evolution as well as niche specificity. Further, the approach will allow us to identify candidate protective antigens that may be useful in the development of recombinant subunit vaccines and diagnostic reagents. Finally, we are taking advantage of genetically modified pathogens approach to develop vaccines for Streptococcus suis with better efficacy.
Whole genome sequencing of pathogenic bacteria
Recombinant subunit and modified live vaccines
Diagnostic reagent development; Zoonosis