Browsing by Author "Mulindwa, Julius"

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    Design of a multi-epitope vaccine against drug-resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis and mycobacterium bovis using reverse vaccinology
    (Nature, 2025) Akurut, Eva; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Mulindwa, Julius; Isiagi, Moses; Galiwango, Ronald; Bbuye, Mudarshiru; Lujumba, Ibra; Kiberu, Davis; Nabisubi, Patricia; Kebirungi, Grace; Kambugu, Andrew; Castelnuovo, Barbara; Nkurunungi, Gyaviira; Jjingo, Daudi; Oketch, Brenda; Kateete, David Patrick; Mboowa, Gerald
    The global burden of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the rise of drug-resistant strains, necessitates an urgent need for developing more effective vaccines. This study employed an in-silico approach to design a multi-epitope vaccine targeting the PE_PGRS16 protein, a conserved virulence factor found across both species, including drug-resistant strains. PE_PGRS16 was chosen due to its extracellular localization, adhesion properties, and virulence characteristics, making it a promising vaccine target. Epitopes for B-cells, Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes, and Helper T Lymphocytes were selected based on antigenicity, non-toxicity, and immune response potential. The vaccine construct demonstrated favorable properties, including high antigenicity, solubility, and stability, with a low instability index (-31.31) and binding energy (-44.566) when docked to TLR4, suggesting its potential for immune activation. Griselimycin was incorporated as an adjuvant to enhance immunogenicity, as predicted by C-ImmSim simulations. Population coverage analysis for East Africa revealed high applicability, with 98.35% coverage for Class I epitopes, 100% coverage for Class II epitopes, and 100% combined coverage, with average hit values of 8.4, 12.26, and 20.66, respectively. These results suggest broad potential for global vaccine deployment. This study presents a novel multi-epitope vaccine targeting PE_PGRS16, with the potential to combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis infections, including drug-resistant forms. Further experimental validation is necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety. Keywords Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Vaccines, BCG, Reverse vaccinology, Molecular Docking, Tuberculosis, Drug resistance
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    The significance of molecular tools in the conservation and farming of edible insects.
    (Springer Nature, 2025) Leonard, Alfonce; Mulindwa, Julius; Egonyu, P. James
    Edible insects are important in mitigating food insecurity due to growing world’s population and climate change. We reviewed published works on the use of molecular techniques to identify edible insects, their contaminants, natural enemies and host plants for sustainable farming and consumption. We found that molecular tools have resolved the contradictions in the identity of the long-horned grasshopper popular consumed in East Africa, confirming that the species is Ruspolia differens Serville and not Ruspolia nitidula (Scopoli). Palm weevils from the same region which showed morphological polymorphism have also been confirmed to be a single species, Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius. A new species of edible cricket in Kenya i.e., Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga was discovered through molecular techniques. The same approach has been used to identify eight species of edible saturniids from coastal Kenya. Further, the techniques have been successfully used to verify the identity of insect species in food products. Additionally, the tools helped to unravel the natural host plants of wild populations of the R. differens. These plants were subsequently used to formulate the rearing diet of R. differens with improved reproductive and developmental performance. The techniques have also helped to elucidate natural enemies of R. differens, which threaten its mass rearing, including fungi, bacteria, and parasitoid: Glaurocara flava Thomson. Molecular techniques have further been employed to detect mycotoxin-producing moulds like Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius and Aspergillus neobridgeri Frisvad & Samson in processed edible insects. Conclusively, molecular tools are of immense significance in advancing conservation and farming of edible insects.