IMMUNOLOGY DIVISION

Introduction

Mandates

The Immunology Division is mandates include:

  1. Carry out Stem Cell Research
  2. Diagnosis, prevention and control of Lymphatic filariasis.
  3. CD4/CD8 testing in HIV/AIDS patients as a service to the scientific community and to the general public.
  4. Training in flow cytometry technology

Research Grants

Current Research Grants

  1. Establishment of a Stem Cell Research Unit in KEMRI.
  2. Generation, characterization, maintenance and propagation of mice Bone Marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and their application in the pre-clinical Animal model of diabetes.
  3. Restorative capacity of Bone Marrow Derived- Stem Cells and their Immune-modulatory effects on Cutaneous Leishmaniasis skin lesions in BALB/c mice.
  4. Role of Plasmodium falciparum HSP90 in antimalarial drug treatment outcome in a malaria-endemic region, Kisumu Kenya.
  5.  Development and Evaluation of Helicase Dependent Isothermal DNA Amplification Method as Point-of-Care Diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti.
  6. Evaluation of Isothermal Amplification methods and development of an Oligochromatographic dipstick assay for point-of-care diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti and disease surveillance in Kenya.
  7. Mapping emerging infectious disease in Kenya within the context of climate change.
  8. Inactivation of the PRH/HHEX tumour suppressor and its effects on inflammatory signalling in prostate cancer

Team

Immunology Division

Division Ag. Head: Ms. Dorcas Wachira

Other Scientific Staff:

  1. Ms. Nancy Kinyatta
  2. Rukiya Haji
  3. Ms. Emily Waigi – on study leave

Technical Staff:

  1. Ms. Rosemary Githae
  2. Mr. Japheth Lusweti

Office Assistant

  1. Ms. Peninah Achayo