Chileab Redwood-Sawyerr
Role: Research Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London
Subject area: Developing synthetic biology tools to support the manufacturing of nucleic acid therapeutics
Nationality: Sierra Leonean & British
I was born in Sierra Leone and completed my university studies in Yorkshire, England. I am currently a Research Assistant at Imperial developing technologies to support Messanger Rbionuclic Acid (mRNA) manufacturing, a type of RNA that is necessary for protein production, for treatments including vaccines and gene therapies.
Education
GCSE (or equivalent): GCSEs at St Ninian’s High School (Isle of Man)
A-level (or equivalent): Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology
Degrees
• Undergraduate in Biochemistry (BSc), University of York
• Master’s in Molecular Medicine (MSc), University of Sheffield
• PhD (ongoing) in Biochemical Engineering, University College London
Detail about Chileab
My research
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the utility of mRNA therapeutics in combatting viral infections. Once inside human cells, mRNA therapeutics instruct cells to generate proteins that help the body mount an immune response to fight viral infections. These therapeutics require critical features for proper functioning; hence, my research involves generating tools to characterise mRNA molecules ensuring they are fit for purpose. Additionally, my work in the Polizzi research group at Imperial College London is interested in developing low-cost technologies applicable for rural environments.
My inspiration
Viral diseases, many cancers and some systemic conditions can be treated with nucleic acid therapeutics. Therefore, the drive for my work is the realisation of the promise of these treatments. I have always had a drive to heal hurting people and coming from a country without access to cutting edge therapies, I am keen to make these treatments accessible to West Africa.
Who is your STEM hero?
Harvard Professor of Genetics, George Church, is my STEM hero owing to his work in initiating the Human Genome Project in 1984 and the Personal Genome Project in 2005. He inspires me by making genome sequencing affordable through his company, Veritas Genomic. Also, despite battling with life-altering narcolepsy he has greatly advanced a wide range of fields from genetic engineering to using DNA as a data storage.
Most significant discovery/invention?
DNA recombination: A key process in synthetic biology involving a genetic exchange that happens between a pair of DNA segments with homologous sequences i.e., two DNA sequences that share more similarity than would be expected by chance, to generate a novel DNA sequence.
Career options after study
- Establish an academic niche in the genetic engineering field through industrial partnerships
- Develop initiatives setting up synthetic biology teaching resources for West Africa
- Spin out a company taking inspiration from tools that I am currently developing
My hobbies
Spending time with family, cooking West African food and playing my piano.