portrait of Dr OrovboniISSF Daphne Jackson Fellowship

Development of digital PCR and next generation sequencing for monitoring patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

Development of a Scientific Method for the Improved Monitoring of Patients with a Form of Blood Cancer Called Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a form of blood cancer. There are small structures packaged into cells and present in the blood which are called chromosomes. CML is caused when a type of human chromosome (chromosome 9) breaks off and joins to the end of another chromosome which breaks off similarly (chromosome 22) thereby forming two new abnormal chromosomes. One of these abnormal chromosomes goes on to produce an abnormal substance that destroys cells and lead to cancer. The breaks on the chromosomes can occur at different points of the chromosome and this determines the kind of substance (protein) that will be produced, but the illness symptom remains the same. While most CML cases are caused by a common type of the abnormal protein, a few (<5%) are caused by different chromosome joining and arrangements.

Biography

I have a PhD in Cell Biology and Genetics with a focus on molecular genetics. I have worked as a scientific researcher for more than 7years. My PhD research was focused on investigating allele frequencies of autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers used for human identity testing using DNA fingerprinting, in the Nigerian population. While undertaking my PhD project, I worked in a molecular biology research laboratory at the university hospital. My role at the university hospital included assisting student researchers as well as clinical researchers in the design and implementation of their research study. While at the university hospital, I also coordinated and carried out various laboratory research on behalf of the laboratory. After the completion of my PhD, I took a career break to focus on family and childbirth. The ISSF-DJT fellowship offered an opportunity for reintegration into the workplace and the chance to retrain and obtain valuable experience within a reputable institution in the UK, allowing me to continue my career in research.