Name: Mgutu, Allan Jalemba

CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME: MGUTU, ALLAN JALEMBA ADDRESS: Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya. Work: +254-20-8711901-19 Ext 3708 E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected] RESEARCH INTERESTS: My main research interests revolve around crop improvement through genetic engineering of tropical crops for better yields under various stresses; 1. Tropical maize transformation via Agrobacterium tumefaciens and clean-gene chemical transfer using immature zygotic embryos and cell suspension cultures respectively. 2. Harnessing genome editing tools of ZFNs, TALENs and CRISP-Cas to create broad resistance against geminiviruses in tropical crops (maize, cassava, sorghum) 3. Developing salinity tolerant tropical maize germplasm suitable for massive irrigation undertaking using SOS1+SOS2+SOS3+NHX1 genes related to SALTOL-QTL in rice 4. Synteny mapping of SALTOL-QTLs in maize leveraging on rice SALTOL- QTL for molecular breeding initiatives to improve maize seed using EST- SNPs markers specific for the SALTOL-QTL.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: 2006-2011 Kenyatta University Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Plant Biotechnology (Plant genetic engineering) in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University 2000-2004 Kenyatta University Master of Science (MSc) degree in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology 1994-1998 Kenyatta University Bachelor of Science degree course (BSc) in biochemistry and attained Second Class Honours (Upper Division). 1989-1992 Kakamega High School Sat for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education 1981-1988 Senende Primary School Sat for Kenya Certificate of Primary Education

TEACHING AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

1 | A . J . M g u t u March 2011 to Present: Lecturer and Postgraduate internal examiner Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University. 2010 to February 2011: Tutorial Fellow, Kenyatta University Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology 2009 to 2010: Part Time Lecturer, Kenyatta University Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology February 2003-2006: Research Assistant, Kenyatta University. Responsibilities: 1. Managing the Plant Transformation Level II Bio-safety laboratory. 2. Assisting graduate (PhD and MSc) students set up plant transformation experiments. 3. Preparing and supervising course practical sessions in plant tissue culture and molecular biology both for undergraduates and postgraduate (MSc) students 4. Invigilating continuous assessment exams for students taking plant biochemistry and molecular biology courses 5. Marking project reports for BSc and MSc students undertaking practical courses in plant transformation and molecular biology APPOINTMENTS/COMMITTEES: 2nd - 22nd July 2014: Acting Chairman Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University Responsibilities: Undertaking all managerial duties of the chairman of the department including Teaching unit allocation to staff members, Chairing Postgraduate defense board meeting(1) Representing The Dean School of Pure and Applied Sciences (SPAS) in University Board meetings (1) and chairing departmental Examination Board meeting. 2014 April: Appointed by the Vice Chancellor in a committee to develop a concept note to be submitted to ASERECA entitled “Capacity Development for sustainable Plant genetic resources (PGRS) utilization and conservation in eastern and central Africa” 2013 – Present: Examination coordinator in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University Responsibilities: Processing of all examinations in the department Ensuring timely setting and quality control of all examinations in the department Maintaining all examination records and accessible inventory system Authenticating and entry of marks in the Campus-Vue IT system for the department Time tabling for examinations in the Department 2 | A . J . M g u t u 7th February 2013: Appointed to represent the Vice Chancellor, Kenyatta University in a breakfast consultative meeting on biosafety of GMOs organized by ministry of higher education, science and technology 25th to 29th September 2011: Appointed to represent Kenyatta University in a Kenya Government contingency on a reconnaissance mission at The Forensic Institute, The National Rabat University Khartoum, Sudan; for establishment of an investigative Forensic Laboratory at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Kenya.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND EXPOSURE: September 2007 to date: Generating transgenic tropical maize and investigating for transgene integration, segregation and disease bioassays in the progeny. Experience: 1. Optimizing tropical maize Agrobacterium mediated transformation 2. Screening transgenic maize using PCR, RT-PCR, immunoblotting and Southern blotting 3. Maize streak virus bio-assays in tropical maize tissues both in vitro and in vivo 2006 to 2007: North Carolina State University in the USA at the Viral Genomics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry in Prof. Linda Hanley-Bowdoin Laboratory Experience: 1. General cloning and DNA analytical techniques 2. Cloning of maize streak virus genome, replication proteins of maize streak virus and peptide aptamer genes into yeast plasmids. 3. Testing protein -protein interaction using yeast two hybrid assays 4. Construction of plant expression vectors for maize transformation bearing peptide aptamer genes

February 2003-July 2006: Research Assistant in the Plant Transformation Bio-safety Level II Laboratory, Kenyatta University Experience: 1. Establishing in vitro tissue cultures and regeneration of local (Kenyan) maize lines 2. Transformation of the maize tissues using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. 3. Analysis of transgene expression in putative transgenic maize using GUS /BAR reporter genes and PCR

3 | A . J . M g u t u May 2001 to July 2002: Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel in the Department of Plant Science working on MSc thesis project under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan Gressel. Experience: 1. Use of anti-metabolites to study plant metabolic pathways sites using spectroscopy detection methods 2. Establishing parasitic weeds tissue cultures 3. Enzyme purification and activity assays in plant tissues 4. Metabolites accumulation and/or depression determinations in plants tissues.

5. Determination of inhibitory concentration IC50 value for plant tissues.

August to December 1999: Kenya Trypanosomosis Research Institute (KETRI) Biochemistry Division under training collaboration program.

SCHOLARSHIPS:  Government of Kenya Scholarship to study for Bachelor of Science Degree at Kenyatta University from 1994 to 1998.  Rockefeller Foundation Academic scholarship to ascertain metabolic sites that can be inhibitory targets in parasitic weeds. MSc project from 2000-2004  Rockefeller Foundation academic scholarship to develop maize resistant to maize streak virus disease (MSD). Doctorate degree from 2007-2011

RESEARCH GRANTS: 1. Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. CGS Grant number RU/CGS/GRG/30/03/14 (US$ 65,000.00) for developing maize tolerant to Striga hermonthica through engin- eered lignification in the roots. 2. Ministry of Higher of Education and Science and Technology, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation multi-institutional innovation joint Grant Number NCST/5/003/3rdSTI CALL/189 (KSh 6,000,000.00) for developing drought tolerant maize through genetic engineering with Ami-RNA sequences that silence maize PARP genes resulting in enhanced energy use efficiency during drought stress. 3. Ministry of Higher of Education and Science and Technology, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation Post-Doctoral Grant Number NCST/5/003/005/68 (KSh 1,000,000.00) for “Mitigating the effects of MSV disease by accelerating tropical maize transformation with peptide aptamers using cell suspension and protoplast culture systems”.

POSTGRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION: INTERNAL (KENYATTA UNIVERSITY) PhD Graduated 4 | A . J . M g u t u 1) Mbinda Wilton Mwema: Ph.D Thesis (2014) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; Improvement of drought tolerance in sweetpotato by expressing Xerophyta viscosa genes. MSc Graduated 2) Olive Fridah Sande: MSc Thesis (2013) Yeast Extract Peptone (YEP) media promotes Agrobacterium infectivity in recalcitrant tropical maize inbred lines. 3) Sylviah Odinda Nawiri : MSc Thesis (2014) Genetic Engineering of sweet potatoes ( Ipomea batata (L) LAM) using isopentenyl transferase ( ipt ) gene for enhanced drought tolerance. PhD on going 4) Lydiah Wamalwa: Ph.D Thesis (2010) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; “In Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation of sweet potato with Bt genes for insect-weevil resistance”. Thesis submitted for examination 5) Joshua Mugendi Njiru: Ph.D Thesis (2012) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; “Transformation of African cassava for resistance to CBD and CMV diseases”. On going 6) Mburu Kenneth Njuguna: Ph.D Thesis (2010) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; “An integrated approach for the control and management of the Banana xanthomonas wilt disease”. On going MSc on going 7) Joseck Akoyi: M.Sc Thesis (2011) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University entitled “Establishment of an efficient regeneration and transformation protocol for tropical maize inbred lines using immature zygotic embryos. Thesis under Departmental Review 8) Morris Muthini: M.Sc Thesis (2013) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University entitled “Genetic and Morphological assessment of rhizobia that nodulate Phaseolus vulgaris in water hyacinth compost testing fields in Lake Victoria basin”. Thesis submitted for examination 9) Christopher Mutai Kiplangat: M.Sc Thesis (2013) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University entitled “Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of catechins using pseudo testcross of tea”. On going 10) Bilhah Moemi: M.Sc Thesis (2014) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Kenyatta University; “Tropical maize transformation through cell suspension and protoplast culture systems”. Proposal accepted 11) Muchemi Kariuki Peterson: MSc Thesis (2011) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; “Somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of maize genotypes adapted to arid, semi-arid and coastal ecosystems of Kenya” Thesis submitted for examination 12) Laban Mwadime Mwashigadi: MSc Thesis (2012) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; “Somatic embryogenesis of PH4 and DK8031

5 | A . J . M g u t u coastal maize genotypes using immature embryos”. Thesis submitted for examination 13) Khakasa Musungu Kathleen: MSc Thesis (2014). Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; “Identification and characterization of Kenyan marine microalgae strains towards biofuel production”. Proposal accepted 14) Munyao Mary Ndunge: MSc Thesis (2013) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University; “Evaluation of agronomic traits among tropical maize under salt stress and identification of responsible salt tolerance QTL”. On going 15) Dennis Nyachae Mose: MSc Thesis (2011). Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University. “Isolation, identification and charactersation of microbial contaminants in selected biosafety laboratories in Kenya” Thesis submitted for examination 16) James Mwangi Mureithi: MSc Thesis (2013). In-vitro colchiploidy in diploid purple passion plants targeting to increase the fruit size and pulp content” on going.

EXTERNAL JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. Imbo Mary Akoth: MSc Thesis (2013) “Competence to agrobacterium-mediated transformation and expression analysis of NUDX gene in eight selected farmer- preferred sweet potatoes genotypes” Proposal accepted; on going 2. Muli Joshua Kiilu: MSc Thesis (2013) “In vitro oxidative stress response in tropical maize genotypes and characterization of transgenic lines over- expressing PARP hairpin construct for drought stress tolerance” on going.

WORKSHOP ORGANIZED: 1. 22nd to 29th June 2012: Successful organization of the Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) workshop under the Capacitate East Africa project held at Kenyatta University Conference Centre, Kenyatta University. 2. 4th to 8th October 2004: Environmental Microbiology workshop at Kenyatta University Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, sponsored by the Kenya Society of Microbiology.

SEMINARS PARTICIPATED: 1. 22nd August 2012: Participated in a Biosafety sensitization workshop organized by KUIBC held at Kenyatta University 2. 17th to 21st September 2012: Participated in scientific writing course training organized by Uganda Martyrs University supported ACP-EU/S&T programme Unit held at Mt Zion Hotel, Kampala Uganda. 3. September 22nd -26th 2008. All Africa congress on biotechnology held at Grand Regency Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

6 | A . J . M g u t u 4. July 2007: Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress Chicago, USA. Sponsored by the American society of plant biologists, American society of plant taxonomists American fern society and botany society of America. 5. September 2006: Triangle Plant Molecular Biology meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina USA. Sponsored by the Triangle Research Consortium (North Carolina State University, Duke University and National Biotechnology Research Center) 6. December 29th- 3rd 2004. 12th Post graduate seminar of Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya. 7. July 2004. Attended the Kenya Biochemical Society Annual Conference on Biotechnology and Bio-informatics, Egerton University, Njoro Kenya.

PUBLICATIONS: Sande F. Olive, Fredrick M. Njoka, Allan J. Mgutu and Sylvester E. Anami (2014) Screening for Water Deficit Tolerance, Relative Growth Analysis and Agrobacterium-Infectivity in Tropical Maize [Zea Mays L.] Inbred Lines in Nairobi, Kenya. International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 2, Issue 4, 218-224. Morris Muthini, John M. Maingi, John O. Muoma, Alice Amoding, Dative Mukaminega, Newton Osoro, Allan Jalemba Mgutu and Omwoyo Ombori (2014). Morphological Assessment and Effectiveness of Indigenous Rhizobia Isolates that Nodulate P. vulgaris in Water Hyacinth Compost Testing Field in Lake Victoria Basin. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology 4(5): 718-738. 1. Ngugi M Piero, Njagi J Murugi, Oduor R Okoth, Mgutu A Jalemba, Ngeranwa NJ Joseph and Njagi EN Mwaniki (2013). Prevention of Type I Diabetes Mellitus: The Role of Immune Interventions. Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology S2:005. doi:10.4172/2155-9899.S2-005 2. Joseck Akoyi, Allan J. Mgutu, Jesse Machuka, Mieke van Lijsebettens, Catherine Taracha and Sylvester E. Anami (2013). “Dicamba Growth Regu- lator Promotes Genotype Independent Somatic Embryogenesis from Imma- ture Zygotic Embryos. Accepted for Publication in Journal of Life Sciences, 7:677-689. 3. Joseck Akoyi, Olive Sande, Jesse Machuka, Mieke Van Lijsebettens, Catherine Taracha, Allan J. Mgutu, and Sylvester E. Anami (2012). Embryogenic Callus In- duction, Plant Regeneration and Incompetence of Immature Embryos to Agrobac- terium Attachment in tropical maize inbred lines. NCST 1st National Science, Tech- nology and Innovation week. 7th – 11th May Nairobi, Kenya. Abstract pp40. 4. Mgutu A.J., (2011). Development of Maize streak virus disease resistance in tropical maize using peptide aptamers. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) Thesis submitted to School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University. 5. Mgutu A.J., Nash T., Hanley-Bowdoin L. and Machuka J. (2011). Towards developing tropical maize resistant to maize streak virus (MSV) disease using peptide aptamers. Keystone Symposium on Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance 7 | A . J . M g u t u Mechanisms, Water and Global Agriculture, Keystone Colorado, USA January 17- 22, 2011. Abstract No. 211 6. Anami E.S. Mgutu A.J., Taracha C., Coussens G., Karimi M., Hilson P., Lijsebettens M.-V., and Machuka J. (2010). Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of tropical maize genotypes. Plant Cell and Tissue Organ Culture. Volume 102, Number 3, pp. 285-295. 7. Anami E.S., Mgutu A.J., Hanley-Bowdoin L., Rasha A.O., Nelisen H, Inze D., Van Lijsebettens M. and Machuka J. (2008). Progress in transformation and regeneration of tropical inbred line maize lines in Kenya. Maize Genetic Coop Newsletter 82:22-23. 8. Mgutu A.J., Lopez-Ochoa L., Machuka J. and Hanley-Bowdoin L. (2008). Battling maize streak virus (MSV) disease with biotechnology: Progress via genetic engineering using peptide aptamers.1st All Africa Congress on Biotechnology Nairobi, Kenya. Abstract pp57. 9. Mgutu A.J., Lopez-Ochoa L., Machuka J. and Hanley-Bowdoin L. (2007). Development of resistance to maize streak virus disease using peptide aptamers. Proceeding of the 2007 Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress Chicago, USA. Abstract No. P45027. 10. Mgutu A.J., (2004). Ascertaining metabolic pathway sites in Orobanche aegyptiaca that can be inhibited using anti-metabolites in vitro. In Proceedings of the 12th postgraduate seminar Kenyatta University Nairobi. Pp38. 11. Mgutu A.J., (2004). Ascertaining metabolic pathway sites in Orobanche aegyptiaca that can be inhibited using anti-metabolites in vitro. Master of Science Thesis submitted to Kenyatta University.

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