Medical Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutics, Forensic Science and Bioinformatics

Book excerpt: This book covers a range of topics on exploiting Nigeria’s mega biodiversity for food security and health; DNA forensic science and its applications; medical biotechnology and biopharmaceutics; medicinal and underutilized plants; impact and mitigation of antibiotic resistance; bioinformatics applications; medical insect biotechnology; etc. The book will be useful reference material for the scientists and researchers working in the fields of nutraceuticals, molecular diagnostics and DNA forensics, biopharmaceuticals and medical biotechnology, nanotechnology, antimicrobials from indigenous plant species, bioinformatics, etc. Emphasizes recent advances in biotechnologies that will help in tackling emerging global health challenges Provides detailed information on how to harness indigenous bioresources including microorganisms and plants for healthcare delivery Introduces new frontiers in the areas of molecular diagnostics and DNA forensic science and bioinformatics with case studies, recent advances in medical insect biotechnology and molecular genetics of pest use towards the exploitation of arthropod midgut components to develop interventions against infectious diseases Reviews bioactive molecules derived from commonly used and underutilized medicinal plants that could be used to develop novel drugs for improved healthcare delivery Discusses current approaches in medical and biopharmaceutical biotechnology, deployment of inexpensive genomics-based vector surveillance for effective disease outbreak prediction and control of mosquito-borne viruses Hajiya Mairo Inuwa, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Formerly Director, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training (CBR&T), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Ifeoma Maureen Ezeonu, Ph.D., is Professor of Medical Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in the Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology and Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria. Abubakar Gidado, Ph.D., is Professor of Biochemistry and Director of North-East Zonal Biotechnology Centre of Excellence at the University of Maiduguri. Emmanuel Olufemi Ekundayo, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology and Microbial Genetics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Abdulrazak B. Ibrahim, Ph.D., is a Capacity Development Expert at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Benjamin Ewa Ubi, Ph.D., is a Professor of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and Director, Biotechnology Research and Development Centre, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.