Peter Twumasi

Biochemistry and Biotechnology

About

Prof. Dr. Ir. Peter Twumasi is the Head of Department (HOD) of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Science. As a Biochemist and Biotechnologist, he has been involved in several biochemical and molecular biology research projects in the areas of programmed cell death (or apoptosis), DNA fingerprinting, microbial and plant genetic diversity studies, and PCR-based molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases (Hepatitis B Virus, HIV, bacterial and fungal diseases).Currently, his research lab focuses on heavy metallic assessment of food crops grown at Galamsey mining areas and refuse dumpsites in Ghana, DNA fingerprinting for forensic purposes, screening of food samples for GM food contamination, PCR-based molecular diagnosis of viral and bacterial infections and genetic analysis of syndromic and non-sydromic human orofacial clefts in the African population.

Research Summary

(inferred from publications by AI)

The researcher's work spans a diverse array of biological and environmental sciences, reflecting a comprehensive approach to understanding plant biology, genetics, forensics, nutrition, and environmental impacts. Their research is interdisciplinary, integrating fields such as genetics, plant physiology, forensics, nutrition, cell biology, insect behavior, and plant growth studies. Key themes include investigations into Zinnia elegans' xylem structure under water stress, the effects of mining on ecosystems, genetic relationships in cassava cultivars, human impacts from SARS-CoV-2 mutations, and the role of specific plants like coconut palms in pathogen detection. These studies collectively highlight advancements in understanding plant processes, environmental responses, and health-related interventions, contributing to both scientific knowledge and practical applications across various domains.

Research Themes

All (28 Papers)

Life Sciences (21 Papers)

Health Sciences (4 Papers)

Physical Sciences (3 Papers)

All Papers

Genomic analyses in African populations identify novel risk loci for cleft palate(2018)

Association Studies and Direct DNA Sequencing Implicate Genetic Susceptibility Loci in the Etiology of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts in Sub-Saharan African Populations(2016)

Loss-of-Function GRHL3 Variants Detected in African Patients with Isolated Cleft Palate(2017)

The prevalence, penetrance, and expressivity of etiologic<scp>IRF</scp>6variants in orofacial clefts patients from sub‐Saharan Africa(2017)

Co‐occurrence of orofacial clefts and clubfoot phenotypes in a sub‐Saharan African cohort: Whole‐exome sequencing implicates multiple syndromes and genes(2021)

Non-Random Distribution of Human Orofacial Clefts in Ghana: Gene-Environment Interactions(2018)

Genomic analyses in African populations identify loci for cleft palate(2019)

Use of pineapple waste for single cell protein (SCP) production and the effect of substrate concentration on the yield(2016)

Pica practice among pregnant women in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana(2010)

A comparative study of different laboratory storage conditions for enhanced DNA analysis of crime scene soil-blood mixed sample(2018)

Forensic identification of missing persons using DNA from surviving relatives and femur bone retrieved from salty environment(2020)

EFFECTS OF WATER STRESS DURING GROWTH ON XYLEM ANATOMY, XYLEM FUNCTIONING AND VASE LIFE IN THREE ZINNIA ELEGANS CULTIVARS(2005)

Caspase inhibitors affect the kinetics and dimensions of tracheary elements in xylogenic Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) cell cultures(2010)

Iron status predicts cognitive test performance of primary school children from Kumasi, Ghana(2021)

Establishing in vitro Zinnia elegans cell suspension culture with high tracheary element differentiation(2009)

Osmotic potential of Zinnia elegans plant material affects the yield and morphology of tracheary elements produced in vitro(2010)

Manipulation of programmed cell death in xylogenic Zinnia elegans suspension cell cultures influences the kinetics and dimensions of tracheary elements produced(2006)

Genetic relationships between some released and elite Ghanaian cassava cultivars based on distance matrices(2011)

Differential effects of temperature on stem length and xylem vessel length distribution inZinnia elegans(2009)

Hydraulic properties of Zinnia elegans : from cellular development in vitro to performance in planta(2007)

Effect of 12 weeks consumption of palm weevil larvae and orange-fleshed sweet potato fortified biscuit on nutritional status and cognitive performance of school children in Kumasi, Ghana(2022)

Comparative PCR analyses for the detection of the Cape St. Paul wilt disease phytoplasma in coconut palms in Ghana(2018)

Effects of water stress on xylem anatomy, xylem functioning and vase life during growth of two zinnia elegans cv's(2004)

Quality regulation of plants by controlling xylem vessel dimensions during xylogenesis.(2003)

Effect of water stress during growth on xylem anatomy in three Zinnia elegans cv's(2003)

Assessment of the effect of mining on the ecosystem: A comparative study of the Czech Republic and Obuasi in the Amansie District of Ghana(2019)

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 S-protein G476S mutation on the interaction with human ACE-2 receptor and neutralizing antibodies(2021)

Collaboration Network

a971657e-3e13-4c5a-94f0-9f9598da91e5

Research Collaboration Map

Collaboration Frequency

Less

About This Profile

This profile is generated from publicly available publication metadata and is intended for research discovery purposes. Themes, summaries, and trajectories are inferred computationally and may not capture the full scope of the lecturer's work. For authoritative information, please refer to the official KNUST profile.