Prof Amos Fatokun
Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Faculty of Science
Email: A.A.Fatokun@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 6291
Professor Amos Akintayo Fatokun is Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience within the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and the Pharmacology Section Lead as well as Communications Lead for Liverpool John Moores University's Centre for Natural Products Discovery (CNPD).
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREES:
Professor Fatokun trained as a pharmacist at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, graduating with a BPharm (with Distinction - the highest classification) and as the best student in the final Clinical Pharmacology course (module), before he studied between 2003 and 2006 for a PhD in Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow, UK. He achieved a rare feat in his PhD viva of passing without any corrections and the PhD was completed in record time (under 3 years) (thesis title: “Oxidative Stress and the Viability of Osteoblasts and Cerebellar Granule Neurones,” with Professors Trevor W. Stone and Robert A. Smith as supervisors). The thesis received a further accolade as runner-up (close second) of the British Neuroscience Association's (BNA) Prize for the best Neuroscience PhD in the UK in 2006.
He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PGCHEP) and is a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH (MOSTLY FUNDED BY COMPETITIVE FELLOWSHIPS):
Professor Fatokun conducted postdoctoral research with the aid of competitive fellowships, each obtained at first attempt, at several prestigious institutions across the world:
2011 – 2013: EU FP7 Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship (IIF) (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF; Project Reference Number 274177), Institute of Cell Signalling, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, UK (with Professor Stephen J. Hill as host/mentor).
2010 – 2012: Nottingham Advanced Research Fellowship (NARF), Institute of Cell Signalling, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, UK (with Professor Stephen J. Hill as host/mentor).
2010-2010: International Visiting Research Fellowship (IVRF), University of Sydney, Australia (with Professor Nick H. Hunt as host).
2007 – 2010: American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship (best applicant in the round for the Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Region), Neuroregeneration and Stem Cells Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, and the Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA (with Professors Ted M. Dawson and Valina L. Dawson as host/mentors).
2006 – 2007: University of Glasgow, UK (postdoc funded by Epsom Medical Research, UK, with Professor Trevor W. Stone, Dr Gail L. Darlington and Professor Robert A. Smith as mentors).
LECTURESHIPS (FACULTY POSITIONS):
In 2013 he secured a lectureship in Pharmacology at the School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, UK, followed in 2014 by a lectureship in Medical Sciences within the School of Medical Sciences of the same institution. In October 2016 he was appointed a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at Liverpool John Moores University, was promoted to a Reader (Associate Professor) in August 2021 and to Full Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience in August 2023.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Professor Fatokun's research focusses on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying disease conditions characterised by either excessive cell death, e.g., neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease), or impaired cell death (such as cancers), with a view to harnessing the knowledge to develop novel therapeutics that will be more efficacious and elicit less side effects in managing those conditions. He uses state-of-the-art methodologies in pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, imaging, structural biology (through collaboration) and bioinformatics (through collaboration). He currently has collaborations with colleagues in the UK, Finland, South Africa and Nigeria.
His work is significantly translational (bench to bedside) and to some degree captures a wider context beyond cell death perturbations to assist in developing and optimising phenotypic- and target-based assays for high-throughput screening (HTS) of small molecules to identify those acting at a (druggable) molecular target of interest.
In summary, his current research interests include:
(1) Exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of cell death in neurodegeneration.
(2) Oxidative stress (and nitrosative stress) and antioxidant signalling, including the Nrf2/ARE signalling pathway.
(3) Prospecting for novel anti-cancer drug leads.
(4) Development and optimisation of phenotypic and target-based assays for high-throughput screening (HTS) of chemical libraries (for various drug targets), HTS and compound characterisation/optimisation.
(5) Development of novel screening platforms and technologies, including the use of 3D cell culture models, stem cells and patient-derived cells.
(6) Natural products pharmacology and toxicology.
(7) Drug repurposing/repositioning.
(8) Use of fluorescent ligands to study novel pharmacology.
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT RESEARCH:
1. Investigating poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-dependent cell death, otherwise termed (and more recently known as) parthanatos, and developing novel, natural-compound or natural compound-inspired synthetic, PARP inhibitors or inhibitors acting at specific levels of the parthanatos pathway. PARP is a nuclear enzyme that senses DNA damage and thus helps to efficiently repair single-strand DNA nicks and breaks. It therefore contributes to the maintenance of cellular homoeostasis and the preservation of genomic stability under physiological conditions. However, its excessive activation, seen in pathological states, such as those of neurodegenerative diseases, can, and does, engender cell death, which explains its role in their pathophysiology. To date, PARP is known to exist in 17 different isoforms, although PARP-1 is the most widely-studied. Parthanatos as a cell death pathway is highly choreographed and distinct from apoptosis, necrosis and other forms of cell death, sequentially featuring overactivation of the enzyme PARP, the production of a prodigious amount of its polymer, poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) and PAR-induced translocation to the nucleus of the mitochondrially-localised apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), which when it enters the nucleus causes large-scale DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation, culminating in parthanatic cell death.
Inhibitors of PARP can be developed and used, at least, as:
(i) Anti-cancer agents, especially for cancers that harbour mutations in the tumour-suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 (e.g., some breast, ovarian, cervical and prostate cancers). Current examples in the clinic include olaparib, rucaparib and niraparib (the drugs cause cancer cells to die through the process of synthetic lethality). PARP inhibitors can also be used in cancers without such mutations to sensitise the cancer cells to other anti-cancer agents, thus potentiating their cancer cell-killing effect (with the benefit that the dose of the other anti-cancer agent can be reduced), or to combat chemoresistance (preventing cancer cells from becoming resistant to anti-cancer agents that they have been previously sensitive to).
(ii) Neuroprotective agents: neurones can be rescued from death through blockade of parthanatos, preferably at some point(s) downstream of PARP activation, e.g., blockers of AIF translocation from the mitochondria to the nucleus.
We have identified some natural-compound inhibitors of PARP that ameliorate or prevent parthanatos and are neuroprotective. We are continuing to search for, and characterise, further novel inhibitors of parthanatos.
2. Natural compounds eliciting novel biological activities: Natural compounds maintain a pride of place in drug discovery, represent a unique inspiration for synthesis of novel bioactive molecules and demonstrate significant chemical diversity that affords an extensive exploration of the chemical space. Dr Fatokun explores medicinal plants for novel bioactivities, working with medicinal and synthetic chemists to advance the plants’ promising chemical constituents to drug leads, which, if sufficiently drug-like, could be further progressed in the drug development pipeline.
Compounds or their synthetic derivatives are tested for biological activities, potency, target selectivity, safety or tolerability profiles, physico-chemical parameters governing drug-likeness, etc.
3. Oxidative stress signalling: Professor Fatokun investigates oxidative stress and anti-oxidant signalling, especially in neurodegeneration, and the mechanisms of action of known or putative antioxidants, including their modulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway.
PUBLICATIONS, AWARDS, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Professor Fatokun has published several papers in leading international journals (for further details, click the tab on 'Publications') and won several awards for the quality and impact of his work, including recognition as runner-up (close second) for the British Neuroscience Association's (BNA) Prize for the best Neuroscience PhD in the UK in 2006, the Pfizer Prize for best oral communication at the Pfizer Colloquium of the International Annual Meeting of the UK Biochemical Society, and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) Young Investigator Scholarship.
He is an Ambassador of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) and a UK STEM Ambassador. He also engages in outreaches and activities in science communication.
He is a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society (FBPhS) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). He is also a member of The Physiological Society (PhySoc) and the Biochemical Society.
He regularly reviews manuscripts for several international journals and research grant applications for a number of national and international funding agencies.
He organises and/or delivers academic workshops in several countries, for example, through the Newton Fund and the Researcher Connect Schemes of the British Council (UK) (workshops in Thailand, China, Brazil, Kazakhstan, etc.). He is passionate in leading research capacity building initiatives in the developing countries of the world, and in this regard has given several impactful lectures and seminars and/or led research or professional career development sessions in Africa, Asia and South America through visits to universities and other research establishments and also through delivering invited talks at conferences. He is a visiting academic to some of the institutions.
He has supervised/mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows (and continues to do so), some of whom have subsequently obtained prestigious research funding and/or published papers of significant impact.
ENQUIRIES:
Professor Fatokun is willing to consider enquiries on participating in/hosting/facilitating:
- Research collaborations
- PhD studies (studentships, scholarships, self-funded), either on a full-time, part-time or split-site basis
- Postdoctoral research, including through competitive fellowships
- Visiting research, summer placements, research experience placements, etc.
- Training in research methods and research-related soft skills development (including research grant writing, manuscript writing, science communication, etc.)
- Conference talks, institutional seminars, etc.
- Professional development sessions
- Research capacity development initiatives
- Industrial-academic partnerships
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Engagements
- Science communication outreaches and activities
- Any other relevant scholastic and professional engagements
CURRENT AND RECENT AREAS OF TEACHING:
Receptor pharmacology; Central Nervous System (CNS) pharmacology, including mechanisms of cell death in the CNS; Pharmacogenetics and personalised medicines; Adverse drug reactions (ADRs); Clinical trials; Liver and renal clearances; Respiratory physiology and cardiovascular physiology; Personal and professional development.
ORCID: 0000-0001-5183-7589
ResearcherID (Web of Science): T-7918-2017
Scopus Author ID: 14053823100
Degrees
2016, University of Bradford, United Kingdom, PGCHEP (Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice)
2006, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom, PhD
2000, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, BPharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) with Distinction
Certifications
2016, The Higher Education Academy, UK, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Academic appointments
Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2023 - present
Reader (Associate Professor) in Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2021 - 2023
Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2016 - 2021
Lecturer in Medical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, 2014 - 2016
Lecturer in Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, 2013 - 2014
Chapters
Fatokun AA, Nahar L, Sarker S. 2024. Network pharmacology and phytochemical research Sarker S, Nahar L. Computational Phytochemistry :465-494 Elsevier
Fatokun AA, Nahar L, Sarker SD. 2024. Network pharmacology in phytochemical research Sarker SD, Nahar L. Computational Phytochemistry :465-493 Elsevier DOI Publisher Url
Olugbuyiro JAO, Bamidele JO, Fatokun AA. 2022. Phytochemical Screening of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad and its Cytotoxic Activity Against Cervical Cancer Cells Green Energy and Technology :331-338 DOI Publisher Url
Fatokun A. 2018. Parthanatos: Poly adp ribose polymerase (parp)-mediated cell death Apoptosis and Beyond: The Many Ways Cells Die :535-558 9781119432425 DOI Publisher Url
Journal article
Prieto JM, Fielding A, Ismail F, Nakouti I, Ehtezazi T, Rahman P, Fatokun AA, Ritchie KJ, Sarker SD. 2024. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRE FOR NATURAL PRODUCTS DISCOVERY IN 2023 Journal of Natural Products Discovery, 2 :1-6 DOI
Ajayi BE, Oboh B, Minari JB, Sexton DW, Sarker SD, Fatokun AA. 2023. Cola rostrata K. Schum. constituents induce cytotoxicity through reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation Exploration of Targeted Anti-tumor Therapy, 4 :1328-1344 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Taiwo BJ, Miller AH, Fielding AJ, Sarker SD, van Heerden FR, Fatokun AA. 2023. Ceibinin, a new positional isomer of mangiferin from the inflorescence of Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae), elicits similar antioxidant effect but no anti-inflammatory potential compared to mangiferin Heliyon, 10 :1-11 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Adekunle YA, Samuel BB, Ezeuduji JU, Adedokun OA, Oluyemi WM, Nahar L, Fatokun AA, Sarker SD. 2023. Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity assessment of the methanol root extract of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae) in mice and rats South African Journal of Botany, 163 :157-164 DOI Publisher Url
Adekunle YA, Samuel BB, Nahar L, Fatokun AA, Sarker SD. 2023. Cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from the root of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae) Phytochemistry, 215 :113853-113853 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Sulyman AO, Fulcher J, Crossley S, Fatokun AA, Olorunniji FJ. 2023. Shikonin and Juglone Inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis Low-Molecular-Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase a (Mt-PTPa) BioTech, 12 :59-59 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Paca AM, Benson SO, Fatokun AA, Ajibade PA. 2023. Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and anticancer potential studies of organoruthenium(II) arene dithiocarbamate complexes Journal of Sulfur Chemistry, :1-12 DOI Publisher Url
Ajibade PA, Fatokun AA, Paca AM. 2023. Synthesis, crystal structure, and anticancer studies of organoruthenium(II) p-cymene N-phenyldithiocarbamate complex Journal of Molecular Structure, 1292 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Muller AG, Sarker SD, Fatokun AA, Hutcheon GA. 2023. Formulation of resveratrol into PGA-co-PDL nanoparticles increases its cytotoxic potency against lung cancer cells RPS Pharmacy and Pharmacology Reports, 2 :1-11 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Algellay M, Roberts M, Bosworth L, Sarker S, Fatokun AA, Ehtezazi T. 2023. The Use of Micro-Ribbons and Micro-Fibres in the Formulation of 3D Printed Fast Dissolving Oral Films Pharmaceuticals, 16 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Omondi RO, Fadaka AO, Fatokun AA, Jaganyi D, Ojwach SO. 2022. Synthesis, substitution kinetics, DNA/BSA binding and cytotoxicity of tridentate N^E^N (E = NH, O, S) pyrazolyl palladium(II) complexes JBIC Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Adekunle Y, Samuel BB, Fatokun AA, Nahar L, Sarker SD. 2022. Olax Subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae): An Ethnomedicinal and Pharmacological Review Journal of Natural Products Discovery, 1 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Popoola TD, Segun P, Ekuadzi E, Dickson RA, Awotona OR, Nahar LUTFUN, Sarker SATYAJITD, Fatokun AMOSA. 2022. West African medicinal plants and their constituent compounds as treatments for viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Abdulazeez MA, Jasim HA, Bashir M, Ross K, Fatokun AA. 2022. Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz) Nees contains principles that are cytotoxic to cancer cells and induce caspase-mediated, intrinsic apoptotic death through oxidative stress, mitochondrial depolarisation and DNA damage Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 147 :112597-112597 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Popoola TD, Guetchueng ST, Ritchie KJ, Awodele O, Dempster NM, Akinloye O, Sarker SD, Fatokun AA. 2021. Potent Nrf2-inducing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects and identification of constituents validate the anti-cancer use of Uvaria chamae and Olax subscorpioidea BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ogedengbe-Olowofoyeku AN, Ademola IO, Wright CW, Idowu SO, Fatokun AA. 2021. Anthelmintic activity and non-cytotoxicity of phaeophorbide-a isolated from the leaf of Spondias mombin L. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 280 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Apostolou M, Assi S, Fatokun AA, Khan I. 2021. The Effects of Solid and Liquid Lipids on the Physicochemical Properties of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ajibade PA, Andrew FP, Fatokun AA, Oluwalana AE. 2021. Synthesis, characterization and in vitro screening for anticancer potential of Mn(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pt(II) methoxyphenyl dithiocarbamato complexes Journal of Molecular Structure, 1230 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Islam Y, Leach AG, Smith J, Pluchino S, Coxon CR, Sivakumaran M, Downing J, Fatokun AA, Teixidò M, Ehtezazi T. 2021. Physiological and Pathological Factors Affecting Drug Delivery to the Brain by Nanoparticles Advanced Science, :2002085-2002085 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Atiba FA, Fatokun AA, Imosemi IO, Malomo AO. 2021. Kola nut from Cola nitida vent. Schott administered to pregnant rats induces histological alterations in pups’ cerebellum PLoS One, 16 :e0247573-e0247573 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Idowu SO, Fatokun AA. 2021. Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Rescue: Deploying Machine Learning to Bridge Biorelevance Gap in Antioxidant Assays Slas Technology, 26 :16-25 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Taiwo BJ, Popoola TD, van Heerden FR, Fatokun AA. 2021. Isolation and Characterisation of Two Quercetin Glucosides with Potent Anti‐Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Activity and an Olean‐12‐en Triterpene Glucoside from the Fruit of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench Chemistry and Biodiversity, 18 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Aderibigbe SA, Idowu SO, Olaniyi AA, Wright CW, Fatokun AA. 2021. Bioactivity and cytotoxicity profiling of vincosamide and strictosamide, anthelmintic epimers from Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) Bruce leaf Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 265 :113142-113151 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Islam Y, Ehtezazi P, Cashmore A, Marinsalda E, Leach AG, Coxon CR, Fatokun AA, Sexton DW, Khan I, Zouganelis GD, Downing J, Pluchino S, Sivakumaran M, Teixido M, Ehtezazi T. 2020. The Inclusion of a Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Responsive Sequence in Self-assembled Peptide-based Brain-Targeting Nanoparticles Improves the Efficiency of Nanoparticles Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier at Elevated MMP-9 Levels Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 110 :1349-1364 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Islam Y, Khalid A, Pluchino S, Sivakumaran M, Teixidò M, Leach A, Fatokun AA, Downing J, Coxon C, Ehtezazi T. 2020. Development of Brain Targeting Peptide Based MMP-9 Inhibiting Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Brain Diseases with Elevated MMP-9 Activity. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 109 :3134-3144 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Taiwo BJ, Popoola TD, van Heerden FR, Fatokun AA. 2020. Pentagalloylglucose, isolated from the leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale L., could elicit rapid and selective cytotoxicity in cancer cells BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20 :287-295 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Omondi RO, Bellam R, Ojwach SO, Jaganyi D, Fatokun AA. 2020. Palladium(II) complexes of tridentate bis(benzazole) ligands: Structural, substitution kinetics, DNA interactions and cytotoxicity studies. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 210 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Islam Y, Leach AG, Smith J, Pluchino S, Coxon CR, Sivakumaran M, Downing J, Fatokun AA, Teixidò M, Ehtezazi T. 2020. Peptide based drug delivery systems to the brain Nano Express, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Ajibade PA, Fatokun AA, Fartisincha AP. 2020. Synthesis, characterization and anti-cancer studies of Mn(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pt(II) dithiocarbamate complexes - crystal structures of the Cu(II) and Pt (II) complexes Inorganica Chimica Acta, 504 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Popoola TD, Awodele O, Babawale F, Oguns O, Onabanjo O, Ibanga I, Godwin H, Oyeniyi T, Fatokun A, Akinloye O. 2019. Antioxidative, antimitotic, and DNA-damaging activities of Garcinia kola stem bark, Uvaria chamae root, and Olax subscorpioidea root used in the ethnotherapy of cancers Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 31 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Marcinkute M, Afshinjavid S, Fatokun AA, Javid FA. 2019. Fluoxetine selectively induces p53-independent apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, 857 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Adeoye RI, Osalaye DS, Ralebitso-Senior TK, Boddis A, Reid AJ, Fatokun AA, Powell AK, Malomo SO, Olorunniji FJ. 2019. Catalytic Activities of Multimeric G-Quadruplex DNAzymes Catalysts, 9 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Omondi RO, Jaganyi D, Ojwach SO, Fatokun AA. 2018. (Pyridyl)benzoazole ruthenium(III) complexes: Kinetics of ligand substitution reaction and potential cytotoxic properties Inorganica Chimica Acta, 482 :213-220 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Omondi RO, Ojwach SO, Jaganyi D, Fatokun AA. 2018. (Pyrazolyl)pyridine ruthenium(III) complexes: Synthesis, kinetics of substitution reactions with thiourea and biological studies Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 94 :98-103 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Taiwo BJ, Fatokun AA, Olubiyi OO, Bamigboye-Taiwo OT, van Heerden FR, Wright CW. 2017. Identification of compounds with cytotoxic activity from the leaf of the Nigerian medicinal plant, Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 25 :2327-2335 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Popoola TD, Awodele O, Omisanya A, Obi N, Umezinwa C, Fatokun AA. 2016. Three indigenous plants used in anti-cancer remedies, Garcinia kola Heckel (stem bark), Uvaria chamae P. Beauv. (root) and Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (root) show analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY, 194 :440-449 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Taiwo BJ, Taiwo GO, Olubiyi OO, Fatokun AA. 2016. Polyphenolic compounds with anti-tumour potential from Corchorus olitorius (L.) Tiliaceae, a Nigerian leaf vegetable BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS, 26 :3404-3410 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Tome M, Smith RA, Darlington LG, Stone TW. 2015. Protection by the flavonoids quercetin and luteolin against peroxide- or menadione-induced oxidative stress in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH, 29 :1127-1132 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Dawson VL, Dawson TM. 2014. Parthanatos: mitochondrial-linked mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, 171 :2000-2016 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Hunt NH, Ball HJ. 2013. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) and the kynurenine pathway: characteristics and potential roles in health and disease AMINO ACIDS, 45 :1319-1329 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Liu JO, Dawson VL, Dawson TM. 2013. Identification through high-throughput screening of 4 '-methoxyflavone and 3 ',4 '-dimethoxyflavone as novel neuroprotective inhibitors of parthanatos BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, 169 :1263-1278 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Bakmiwewa SM, Fatokun AA, Anh T, Payne RJ, Hunt NH, Ball HJ. 2012. Identification of selective inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS, 22 :7641-7646 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA. 2011. Gaining notoriety through translocation: a case of the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1-dependent neuronal death. Biokemistri, 23 :98-107 Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2008. Prolonged exposures of cerebellar granule neurons to S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) induce neuronal damage independently of peroxynitrite BRAIN RESEARCH, 1230 :265-272 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Smith RA, Stone TW. 2008. Resistance to kynurenic acid of the NMDA receptor-dependent toxicity of 3-nitroproplonic acid and cyanide in cerebellar granule neurons BRAIN RESEARCH, 1215 :200-207 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2008. Responses of differentiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells to reactive oxygen species EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, 587 :35-41 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2008. Oxidative stress in neurodegeneration and available means of protection FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE-LANDMARK, 13 :3288-3311 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2008. Adenosine receptor ligands protect against a combination of apoptotic and necrotic cell death in cerebellar granule neurons EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 186 :151-160 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA. 2007. Glutamate signalling: From the CNS to the periphery- A new role for an old face? British Neuroscience Association Bulletin, 57 :14-16
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2007. Hydrogen peroxide mediates damage by xanthine and xanthine oxidase in cerebellar granule neuronal cultures NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS, 416 :34-38 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2007. Cell death in rat cerebellar granule neurons induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro: Mechanisms and protection by adenosine receptor ligands BRAIN RESEARCH, 1132 :193-202 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2006. Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in MC3T3-E1 cells: The effect of glutamate and protection by purines BONE, 39 :542-551 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Adekunle YA, Samuel BB, Nahar L, Fatokun AA, Sarker SD. Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae): A review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of African birch Fitoterapia, Public Url
Editorial/letter to the editor
Akindele AJ, Fatokun AA, Uzochukwu IC, Steenkamp V, Agyare C, Familoni O, James MO. 2022. Editorial: Translational Research and Drug Repurposing for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Poster
Apostolou M, Assi S, Fatokun AA, Khan I. 2021. The effects of lipids and surfactants on the physicochemical properties of nanostructured lipid carriers for pulmonary drug delivery Joint Pharmaceutical Analysis Group (JPAG), London, UK
Benson SO, Ismail FMD, Fatokun AA. 2021. A cell-based neuroprotection assay targeting poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) reveals oncology-based potency ranking of clinically used PARP inhibitors (PARPi) ELRIG's Annual Drug Discovery Meeting (Drug Discovery 2021), The Exhibition Centre, ACC, Liverpool. 19-20 October, 2021.
Benson SO, Ismail FMD, Fatokun AA. 2021. 4′-methoxyflavone (4MF) and 3′,4′-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) directly bind to the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme to inhibit parthanatos British Pharmacological Society (BPS) Conference (Pharmacology 2021). 7-9 September, 2021. Online. Author Url
Benson SO, Ismail FMD, Fatokun AA. 2019. PARPi-FL, a fluorescent version of the PARP inhibitor olaparib, exhibits decreased potency but similar efficacy compared to olaparib in a cell-based assay British Pharmacological Society's Annual Meeting, Pharmacology 2019, 15-17 December 2019, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, UK (poster was additionally competitively invited for a flash presentation (British Journal of Pharmacology 2020: 47-48)). DOI: 10.1111/bph.15035 Author Url
Benson SO, Ismail FMD, Fatokun AA. 2019. PARP inhibitors elicit concentration-dependent protection against PARP-mediated cell death even with a delayed addition of up to 12 hours post-insult ELRIG Drug Discovery Conference 2019, 5-6 November, 2019, Liverpool, UK
Popoola TD, Awodele O, Akinloye A, Ritchie KJ, Sarker SD, Fatokun AA. 2019. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the medicinal plants Garcinia kola, Uvaria chamae and Olax subscorpioidea validate their inclusion in indigenous anti-cancer remedies ELRIG Drug Discovery Conference 2019, 5-6 November, 2019, Liverpool, UK
Islam Y, Leach A, Downing J, Fatokun AA, Sexton D, Coxon CR, Zouganelis G, Pluchino S, Sivakumran M, Teixido M, Ehtezazi T. 2019. MMP-9-responsive self-assembled nanocarriers for brain drug delivery Keele Nanoparticle Conference, Keele University, UK. 5 July, 2019.
Benson SO, Fatokun AA. 2019. Cell-based optimisation of a novel, fluorescent PARP inhibitor for therapeutics development Faculty of Science Research Day, Liverpool John Moores University, UK. 11 June, 2019
Adedoyin BA, Muhammed AB, Dangoggo SM, Rabah AB, Sharples GP, Nahar L, Fatokun AA, Sarker SD. 2018. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses and bioactivity assessment of the essential oil of Cassia singueana Linn flower Liverpool John Moores University, UK. 2-5 July, 2018.
Zhang J, Marsh JR, Tait A, Iqbal MM, Pritchard CJ, MA A, Shang L, Fatokun AA. 2017. Methoxylated but not hydroxylated flavones elicit significant activity against PARP-1-mediated cell death (parthanatos). 38th World Congress (Rhythms of Life) of the International Union of Physiological Societies (IUPS), 1-5 August, 2017, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Idowu SO, Adeyemo MA, Fatokun AA. 2014. Biomimetic attributes of novel lipophilicity assay affords reliable prediction of biopharmaceutical profile of small-molecule drugs. Biotechnology for Health and Sustainable Development, 4th Unibadan Conference of Biomedical Research, July 1-4, 2014, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Fatokun AA. 2014. Blending biophysical and drug discovery platforms to investigate allosterism in G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and find novel allosteric modulators for neurotherapeutics development. Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Conference: The Empowerment of the Next Generation of Researchers: “Promoting talents, spreading excellence.” Book of Abstracts p. 10. November 18-19, Trento, Italy
Fatokun AA, Middleton RJ, Thompson KSJ, Briddon SJ, Hill SJ. 2013. Characterization of a novel, high-affinity and selective fluorescent antagonist for the 5HT1A receptor Joint Annual Meeting of the ASPET/BPS at Experimental Biology (EB) Author Url
Bakmiwewa SM, Fatokun AA, Liu Y, Tran A, Metz R, Prendergast GC, Payne RJ, Hunt NH, Ball HJ. 2012. Biochemical and biological properties of mouse indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 (IDO2) 13th International Society for Tryptophan Research Conference (ISTRY2012), Sydney, Australia
Fatokun AA, Dawson VL, Dawson TM. 2009. A high-throughput screen of small molecules reveals 4′-methoxyflavone as a neuroprotective PARP-1 inhibitor. American Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Annual Meeting (Neuroscience 2009), Chicago, USA
Smith RA, Fatokun AA, Smith AJ, Stone TW. 2009. Oxidative and nitrosative stress-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons 46th Congress of the European-Societies-of-Toxicology Author Url
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2007. Prolonged but not short exposure to the nitric oxide donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) may deplete superoxide and induce damage unrelated to peroxynitrite. The American Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Annual Meeting (Neuroscience 2007), San Diego, California, USA
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2007. Induction by 3-nitropropionic acid and potassium cyanide of NMDA receptor-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species in cerebellar granule neurons: similarities and differences. FEBS Workshop “Generating neural diversity in the brain.” Hotel La Palma, Capri, Italy,
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2007. Toppling a healthy balance: the menace of lovers of electrons. The Ninth Great British Research and R & D Show, House of Commons, Westminster, London, UK.
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2007. Potassium cyanide and 3-nitropropionic acid induce similar NMDA receptor-dependent neurotoxic pathways in vitro British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Meeting, Harrogate, UK
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2006. Apoptotic and necrotic mechanisms of glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and protection by adenosine receptors The American Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Annual Meeting (Neuroscience 2006), Atlanta, GA, USA
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2005. Oxidative stress and glutamate toxicity in neurons and bone cells: parallels and contrasts The American Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Annual Meeting (Neuroscience 2005), Washington DC, USA
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2005. Differentiation of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells increases sensitivity to oxidative stress damage Biochemical Society’s International Annual Meeting (Bioscience 2005), SECC, Glasgow, UK
Fatokun AA, Ukponmwan OE. 2005. Behavioural Modulation by Diazepam and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Deprivation-induced Stress in the Rat Society for Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA)/International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) Conference, Cape Town, South Africa
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2005. Aspects of glutamate signalling in bone: Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in the osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cell line 13th Biennial Meeting of the Society-for-Free-Radical-Research Author Url
Book review
Fatokun AA. 2011. Review of “Sociology for Pharmacists: An Introduction” by Kevin Taylor, Sarah Nettleton and Geoffrey Harding. The Biochemist, 33 :58-58 Publisher Url
Conference publication
Fatokun AA, Stone TW, Smith RA. 2005. Oxidative stress and glutamate signalling in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells Proceedings of the Meeting of the Society for Free Radical Research Europe, 13th Biennial Meeting of the Society-for-Free-Radical-Research :39-42 Author Url
Thesis/Dissertation
Fatokun AA. Oxidative stress and the viability of osteoblasts and cerebellar granule neurones. Stone TW, Smith RA.
Conference organisation:
World Congress of Pharmacology (WCP2023), Glasgow, UK, 2-7 July, 2023, BPS Meetings Committee member (local planning), Abstract reviewer, https://wcp2023.org/. 2023
4th Annual International CNPD Conference (and Bicentenary Celebration of LJMU), "Natural Products in Cosmetics, Food and Medicine". Vice-President, Organising Committee. 19-22 June, 2023, https://ysm2018.wixsite.com/cnpd2023. 2023
Pharmacology 2022 (International Conference of the British Pharmacological Society, BPS), Meetings Committee member (conference planning), Chair of Flash Poster Session, Abstract reviewer, Poster Prize assessor. 2022
3rd Annual CNPD Conference 2022 (International Conference, Online), "Natural Products and Their Role in Post-Covid Time", in honour of Professor Alexander I Gray (Sandy), 2-4 March, 2022, Vice-President (Organising Committee), https://ysm2018.wixsite.com/cnpd2022. 2022
Pharmacology 2021 (International Conference of the British Pharmacological Society, BPS), Meetings Committee member (conference planning), Abstract reviewer, Poster Prize assessor. 2021
2nd Annual CNPD Conference "Natural Products in COVID-19 (International Conference)", Vice-President, Organising Committee. 2021
Pharmacology 2020 (International Conference of the British Pharmacological Society, BPS), Meetings Committee member (conference planning), Abstract reviewer, Poster Prize assessor. 2020
1st Annual CNPD Conference, "PSE T20 International Conference", Liverpool John Moores University, UK, Vice-President, Organising Committee. 2020
Pharmacology 2019 (International Conference of the British Pharmacological Society, BPS) - Edinburgh, UK, Meetings Committee member (conference planning), Abstract reviewer, Poster Prize assessor. 2019
Pharmacology 2018 (International Conference of the British Pharmacological Society, BPS), Meetings Committee member (conference planning) and Abstract reviewer. 2018
PSE-YSM Liverpool 2018 (International Conference), Vice-President, Organising Committee. 2018
Research Grants Awarded:
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) Diversity and Inclusion Project Fund, “Clues in the Cues: Chronicling and Contextualising Non-Western Socio-Cultural Norms for Improved Student Experience”, Grant value (£): 7,500, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2023
The British Council, Consolidation Grant: Embedding Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the University Curriculum in the Context of Medical Sciences (UCo-Hub), Dr Iheanacho Metuonu (University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED),(Teenpreneurs Educational Foundation (TEF), Nigeria) Nigeria); Mr Soji Megbowon, Grant value (£): 50,000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2023
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) QR Policy Support Fund (QR-PSF), “Individual and group upskilling for enhanced competence in using research to influence policymaking across international boundaries”, Grant value (£): 10,000, Duration of research project: 15 months. 2022
The British Council, University Co-creation Hub: Embedding Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the University Curriculum in the Context of Medical Sciences, Dr Iheanacho Metuonu (University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Nigeria); Mr Soji Megbowon (Teenpreneurs Educational Foundation (TEF), Nigeria), Grant value (£): 100,000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2021
National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, Anticancer Studies of Metal Chalcogenides and Metal Sulphide Microgel Nanofibers, Ajibade PA, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (PI); Fatokun AA, LJMU, UK (Co-I), Grant value (£): 75,000 (1,540,000 Rands, ZAR), Duration of research project: 2 years. 2021
Liverpool John Moores University, A comparative assessment of the use of research evidence in policy making and implementation in Africa and the West. QR Strategic Policy Fund, Grant value (£): 9,075, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2021
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Research Enablement Grant, Grant value (£): 10,000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2021
Faculty of Science, LJMU (PhD studentship), Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) for Cancer Therapy via Pulmonary Drug Delivery, Dr Iftikar Khan (lead supervisor), Dr Sulaf Assi (co-supervisor), Dr Amos Fatokun (co-supervisor), Grant value (£): 65,000, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2020
LJMU GCRF Internal Grants Scheme, Data gathering, stakeholder engagement and bid creation workshop on benefits and public health concerns of herbal products and medicinal plants used in Nigeria and Ghana, Grant value (£): 12000, Duration of research project: 5 months. 2020
Trialect Training Fellowship (sponsored by Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA)) for visiting PhD student Dr Foluso Atiba, Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of kolanut, Grant value (£): 6420, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2020
Royal Society of Chemistry (Researcher Mobility Grant for visiting PhD student Mr Mukaram Adeniyi-Akee), Phytochemistry and cell biology of selected medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 5000, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2019
Visiting Postdoctoral Research (Dr Mojisola Cyril-Olutayo), Cell biology of selected medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 3250, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2019
British Pharmacological Society, Ambassador grant for outreach activities, Grant value (£): 500, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2019
Visiting PhD research (Mr Babatunde Ajayi), Phytochemistry and cell biology of medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 3000, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2019
Faculty of Science, LJMU (PhD studentship), Identification and characterisation of novel poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, Dr Amos Fatokun (lead supervisor), Dr Fyaz Ismail (co-supervisor), Grant value (£): 62,000, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2019
Trialect Postdoctoral Fellowship plus home institutional support for Dr Mansurah Abdulazeez, Cell biology of medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 6808, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2019
Liverpool John Moores University (PhD studentship), Synthesis and formulation of anti-migraine peptides for nose-to-brain delivery, Prof. Gillian Hutcheon (lead supervisor), Dr Amos Fatokun (co-supervisor), Dr Chris Coxon (co-supervisor), Prof. Dave Kendall (co-supervisor), Grant value (£): 62,000, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2018
Visiting Postdoctoral Research (Dr Bamigboye J. Taiwo), Phytochemistry and cell biology of selected medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 3000, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2018
Liverpool John Moores University Research Committee (2018-2019), Development of split G-Quadruplex DNAzymes for construction of gated biosensors, Dr Amanda Boddis; Dr Amos Fatokun; Dr Femi Olorunniji; Dr Andrew Powell; Dr T. Komang Ralebitso-Senior; Dr Amanda Reid, Grant value (£): 15000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2018
Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), Liverpool John Moores University (2018-2018), Consolidating emerging ODA-country networks for socio-economic development and future GCRF funds competitiveness through network meetings, focussed techniques training and preliminary data acquisition (networking meeting with leading natural products researchers and biomedical researchers held in Lagos, Nigeria, June 27-28, 2018), Grant value (£): 8000, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2018
Royal Society of Chemistry, Small grant for scientific activities, Grant value (£): 800, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2018
Visiting Biochemist Grant plus home institution's doctoral assistance grant for visiting PhD student Mr Popoola, Cell biology of medicinal plants, Mr Temidayo Daniel Popoola, Grant value (£): 3700, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2018
Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation, Travel grant, Grant value (£): 1000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2017
Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty of Science (2017-2018), Seed Corn Research Grant, Grant value (£): 10,000. 2017
Newton Fund/Liverpool John Moores University (2017-2018), Collaboration visit to the School of Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (host: Prof. Fanie van Heerden), Grant value (£): 2,250, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2017
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) (Research Funds) (2017-2020), Characterisation and optimisation of natural compound inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Grant value (£): 4,000, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2017
Liverpool John Moores University (2017-2018), Collaboration on Bioinformatics with Dr Andreas Bender, Department of Chemistry and Centre for Molecular Informatics, University of Cambridge, UK, Grant value (£): 6,000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2016
Physiological Society Biomedical Vacation Studentship for student Kieran Mistry, Using cell culture to model diseases and develop novel therapeutics, Grant value (£): 640, Duration of research project: 10 weeks. 2016
TETFund Grant (Government of Nigeria) for visiting PhD research for Mr. Segun Aderibigbe, Phytochemistry and cell biology of selected medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 2500, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2016
Royal Society of Chemistry Researcher Mobility Grant (visiting PhD research) to Ms. Abosede Ogedengbe, Phytochemistry and cell biology of selected medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 5800, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2016
The Biochemical Society (Eric Reid Methodology Fund) (2017-2018), Natural product modulation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) signalling in cell death, Grant value (£): 2,000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2015
University of Oulu (Finland) Visiting Research Grant (2016-2016), Using biochemical assays and protein X-ray crystallography to investigate mechanisms of interactions between flavones and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), Co-applicant: Dr Lari Lehtio, Grant value (£): €1,700, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2015
Erasmus Mundus Programme (externally-funded PhD studentship), Pulmonary delivery of resveratrol-loaded nanocomposite microparticles to treat lung cancer, Prof. Gillian Hutcheon (lead supervisor), Dr Amos Fatokun (co-supervisor), Prof. Satyajit Sarker (co-supervisor), Grant value (£): 80,000, Duration of research project: 4 years. 2015
Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Scholarship for student Holly Wood, Using cell culture to model diseases and develop novel therapeutics, Grant value (£): 2000, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2015
British Council Researcher Link (postdoc) Grant for Dr Bamigboye J. Taiwo, Phytochemistry and cell biology of medicinal plants, Grant value (£): 5795, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2014
Biochemical Society's Guildford Bench Methodology Fund (2011-2013), Validating the biomimetic attributes of a novel lipophilicity assay, Co-applicant: Professor Olakunle Idowu, Grant value (£): 1,800, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2011
Nottingham Advanced Research Fellowship, University of Nottingham, UK (2010-2012), An investigation of allosteric modulation of selected GPCRs and their receptor interactions through single-cell fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and kinetic measurements, Grant value (£): 116,778, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2010
EU FP7 Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship (IIF), European Commission (2011-2013), Blending biophysical and drug discovery platforms to investigate allosterism in G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and find novel allosteric modulators for neurotherapeutics development, Grant value (£): €210,000, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2010
Royal Society of Edinburgh International Exchange Programme (Fellowship) (2010-2010), Pharmacokinetics of novel inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, Dr Kevin Read, Grant value (£): 2,750, Duration of research project: 2 months. 2010
International Visiting Research Fellowship, University of Sydney, Australia (2010-2010), Identification of inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenases 1 and 2 (IDO1 and IDO2) through high-throughput screening of FDA-approved drugs library, Co-Applicant: Professor Nick Hunt, Grant value (£): AU$17,500, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2010
American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, USA (2008-2010), Screening for blockers of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) translocation, Grant value (£): US$80,000, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2008
Other invited event:
Invited Seminar, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Research Seminar. 2022
Invited Seminar, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of West London, Research Seminar. 2022
STEM and Careers Talk, Merchant Taylors' Girls' School, Liverpool, The Science of Making Medicines: Thrills, Challenges and Career Opportunities. 2022
Natural Products Research: Opportunities for Collaboration, Training, Exchanges and Capacity Building, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, Seminar. 2019
Natural Products Research: Opportunities for Collaboration, Training, Exchanges and Capacity Building, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, Seminar. 2019
Award:
Faculty Winner (2022), Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Knowledge Exchange, LJMU. 2022
Fellowships:
Fellow, British Pharmacological Society (FBPhS), The British Pharmacological Society (BPS), UK. 2022
Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK. 2021
External PGR examinations performed:
Stellenbosch University, South Africa, PhD, Serum amyloid A in inflammation and cancer. 2022
University of Huddersfield, UK, MPhil, Evaluation of the inhibition of neuroinflammation by quassin. 2021
Editorial boards:
Journal of Natural Products Discovery (JNPD), Editorial Board member. 2022
Frontiers in Pharmacology, Guest Editor. 2021
Conference presentation:
Natural product inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) as potential treatments for COVID-19, Natural Products in COVID-19, Online, Oral presentation. 2021
Contemporary perspectives in pharmacological research and career development, Nigeria Society of Pharmacology (Maiden Webinar), Online, Oral presentation. 2020
How to write a PhD thesis (webinar), African Scholars' Forum, Online, Oral presentation. 2020
The Use of Cell Culture in Cancer Research (Plenary Talk) (2017), Annual Faculty Seminar, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria, Oral presentation. 2017
Advances in effective drug discovery, evaluation and development (Plenary Talk) (2015), 38th Conference of the West African Society for Pharmacology/Société Ouest Africaine de Pharmacologie (WASP-SOAP), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Oral presentation. 2015
Identification and characterisation of two novel, neuroprotective PARP-1 inhibitors, Pharmacology 2010, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, UK, Oral presentation. 2010
Molecular mechanisms of (neuronal) cell death: convergence or divergence of multiple pathways?, Latest Advances in Drug Discovery Informatics eCheminfo 2009 Interaction Meeting (Douglas Connect), Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia, USA, Oral presentation. 2009
External committees:
Meetings Committee, British Pharmacological Society, BPS (UK). 2018
Ambassador, British Pharmacological Society, BPS (UK). 2015
Teaching qualification:
Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (FHEA). 2015
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PGCHEP). 2015
Membership of professional bodies:
Member, Ambassador and Meetings Committee member, British Pharmacological Society (BPS), http://www.bps.ac.uk/. 2004
Member, The Biochemical Society (UK), http://www.biochemistry.org/. 2004
Fellow (FRSC), Royal Society of Chemistry, http://www.rsc.org/.
Member, Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), https://www.mariecuriealumni.eu/.
Member, The Physiological Society (UK), http://www.physoc.org/.
Other Professional Activity:
.
External Examiner, School of Health, Sport & Bioscience, University of East London (UEL), London (2023-2027).
GRANT REVIEW (SELECTED): The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC); Newton International Fellowship; Institutional Links Grants, the British Council, UK; Researcher Links Workshops Grants, the British Council, UK; Kazakhstan's National Centre of Science and Technology Education (NCSTE); National Science Centre, Poland; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences sub-area.
MANUSCRIPT/BOOK REVIEW (SELECTED): Human Molecular Genetics; Neuropharmacology; Current Medicinal Chemistry; Food and Function; Molecular BioSystems (Royal Society of Chemistry); RSC Advances (Royal Society of Chemistry); Natural Product Research; PLoS One; Bentham Science Publishers (eBook); Journal of Cell and Animal Biology (JCAB); International Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism; The Biochemist (book review: Sociology for Pharmacists); Expert Review of Proteomics; Cell and Molecular Life Sciences (CMLS); Brain Research; Experimental Brain Research.