Dr. Mark Njogu Kimani
Name: Dr. Mark Njogu Kimani
Title/Qualification: B.Sc Hons (Maseno), M.Sc (Egerton), Dr. rer. nat. (University of Muenster)
Position: Lecturer
Department: Physical Sciences
School: SPAS
Area of Specialization: Organic Chem/Cheminformatics/Nanotechnology
Contact Address: P.O BOX 6-60100, Embu, Kenya
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Short Biography
Dr. Kimani holds a Dr.rer.nat. in Organic Chemistry from University of Muenster (Germany). He is an alumnus of Egerton University and Maseno University. Dr. Kimani is an expert in medicinal Chemistry of natural products, isolation, structure elucidation, computer-aided medicinal chemistry (molecular modelling and QSAR studies), and pharmaceutical nanotechnology of natural products.
Research Interests
• Isolation and structure elucidation of bioactive natural products from plants and microorganisms
• Structure-activity relationships of bioactive natural products
• Analytical methods development and standardization of herbal drug material.
• Herbal drugs repurposing-new pharmacological activities of traditional herbs.
• Development of natural products nanoformulations for pharmaceutical applications
Grants
EQUIPMENT GRANTS
| YEAR | EQUIPMENT | FUNDING AGENCY | AMOUNT |
| 2021 | Rotary evaporator | PMD/GIZ | € 7,500 |
| 2021 | ICT equipment | PMD/GIZ | € 2,500 |
EXTERNAL RESEARCH GRANTS
| Year | PROJECT TITLE | FUNDING AGENCY | ROLE | AMOUNT |
| 2021 | Search for antiprotozoal agents from Flueggea virosa and Teclea nobilis | IFS | Principal investigator | US$14,926 |
| 2020 | Salary subsidy for returning experts | PMD/GIZ | Principal investigator | € 23,280 |
OTHER GRANTS AND AWARDS
| Year | TYPE OF GRANT | FUNDING AGENCY |
| 2023 | Georg Forster Research Fellowship for Postdocs | AvH |
| 2018 | Travel grants to attend WWU.USP Summer School and the 3rd Workshop IRTG on “Neglected Diseases” in Sao Paulo, Brazil | DAAD |
| 2017 | Travel grants to attend WWU.USP Summer School and the 2nd Workshop IRTG on “Neglected Diseases” in Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil | DAAD |
| 2017 | Travel award to attend the 65th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) in Basel, Switzerland | GA |
| 2017 | Travel award to attend the 17th NAPRECA Symposium on Natural Products; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | ResNetNPND |
| 2017 | Travel award to attend IV Symposium of Tropical Health/COST Action CM 1307 (WG3 and WG4) Joint meeting at Instituto De Salud Tropical, Universidad De Navarra, Pamplona, Spain | COST ACTION |
| 2015 | Fellowship to undertake PhD studies at the University of Muenster, Germany | DAAD/NRF |
Ongoing Research
- Investigating the potential of Vepris and Vernonia species secondary metabolites as antiprotozoal agents
Protozoan infections, such as malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and Chagas disease, represent a significant health burden, especially in developing countries. The lack of effective and affordable treatments for these diseases highlights the urgent need for the development of new antiprotozoal drugs. To address this need, this research project focuses on exploring the antiprotozoal potential of secondary metabolites isolated from medicinal plants of the genera Vepris and Vernonia. By evaluating the antiprotozoal activity of the compounds derived from medicinal plants in these genera against various protozoan parasites, we aim to identify potential new antiprotozoal agents that can contribute to the development of more effective treatments for these diseases.
Postgraduate student working on the project: Mr. Prince Ojuka.
Publications from this project.
- Ojuka, P., Kimani, N. M.*, Apollo, S., Nyariki, J., Ramos, R. S., Santos, C. B. R. (2023): Phytochemistry of the genus Vepris plants: a review and in silico analysis of their ADMET properties. South African Journal of Botany. 157(2023):106-114. - Link
- Kimani, N. M., Matasyoh, J. C., Kaiser, M., Brun, R., Schmidt, T. J.* (2018): Sesquiterpene lactones from Vernonia cinerascens Bip. and their in vitro antitrypanosomal activity. Molecules. 23(2): 248. doi: 10.3390/molecules23020248. - Link
- Kimani, N. M., Matasyoh, J. C., Kaiser, M., Brun, R., Schmidt, T. J.* (2017): Anti-Trypanosomatid Elemanolide Sesquiterpene Lactones from Vernonia lasiopus Hoffm. Molecules. 22(4): 597. doi: 10.3390/molecules22040597. - Link
- Unlocking the secondary metabolic potential of fungal symbionts associated with xylophagous and organic waste Beetles
The rise of antibiotic resistance in bacteria has necessitated the continuous search for novel antimicrobial agents. One underexplored source is the gut symbiotic microbiome of edible insects, which has been found to contribute significantly to the host's adaptability to extreme environments. Insects, particularly class Insecta, have been successful in adapting to various environments, making their defense mechanisms and gut microbiome potential sources of novel molecules. This current study aims to investigate gut-culturable fungal symbionts of xylophagous and dung beetles and the secondary metabolites they produce, with the prospect of finding novel antibacterial compounds to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens.
Postgraduate students working on the project: Mr. Shadrack Kibet, BSc. and Ms. Sylviah Mwanzah, BSc.
- Insilco studies for the identification of novel inhibitors for the management of postprandial hyperglycemia.
Diabetes has become one of the most challenging metabolic illnesses to treat. In many nations around the world, the prevalence of diabetes is on the rise. Sedentary lifestyles are significant contributors to the development of diabetes. Administration of drugs that lower blood glucose by inhibiting the action of key digestive enzymes such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase has been the key strategy to manage the disease. Thus, the project aims to leverage computational methods to discover new molecules for the treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels after meals. Through extensive in-silico studies and analyses, the project seeks to identify promising compounds that can be developed into effective drugs to manage this metabolic disorder, with potential implications for improving the lives of millions of people worldwide who suffer from diabetes and related complications.
Postgraduate student working on the project: Mr. Wilberforce Ndarawit.
Publications from this project. link this article-
- Kimani, N. M.*, Ochieng, C. O., Ogutu, M. K., Yamo, K. O., Onyango, J. O. (2023): Inhibition kinetics and theoretical studies on Zanthoxylum chalybeum dual inhibitors of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Journal of Xenobiotics. 13(1):102-120. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13010009 - Link
These projects address multiple targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. For example, they target 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and other communicable diseases, and 3.4, which aims to reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. In addition, the projects align with SDG 15: Life on Land and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, including target 9.5, which aims to enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities in all countries' industrial sectors, and promote innovation. The projects also support AU 2063 Goal 1, which seeks to eliminate preventable diseases and promote good health and well-being for all.