BORQUAYE RESEARCH GROUP
We explore the interactions of chemical entities with biological systems and seek to understand the ensuing effects, which will potentially lead to the discovery of new therapeutics and ultimately help address problems associated with drug resistance in malaria and antimicrobial chemotherapy. We also investigate the impact of pharmaceuticals and heavy metals on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Research
Biomolecular Computations
Molecular docking and molecular dynamics tools are used to unravel potential modes of action of bioactive compounds, predict preferred binding targets and explore events that mediate biomolecule-ligand interaction over a specified time period.
Bioactive Molecules
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Environmental Monitoring
Chemicals such as natural products, peptides, essential oils and/or small molecules are either isolated from natural sources (terrestial and marine) or designed and synthesized, then evaluated for biological activities.
Our strategy involves constant monitoring of environmental concentrations of pharmaceutical residues and heavy metals, risk evaluation and the development of robust models to predict future environmental levels and effects; and remediation strategies
Limelight
Recent Publications
Congratulations to Edward Ntim Gasu on successfully defending his Ph.D. thesis. Gasu has contributed massively to the growth of the group, especially in the field of computational studies as the pioneer. We wish Dr. Gasu the very best in his future endeavors.
Computational studies on potential small molecule inhibitors of Leishmania pteridine reductase 1. Get access
Computational Studies Provide a Molecular Basis for the Quorum Sensing Inhibitory Action of Compounds from Dioon spinulosum Dyer Ex Eichler. Get access
N-Benzylimidazoles as Potential Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Agents–Syntheses, Bioactivity and Molecular Docking Studies. Get access
N-alkylimidazole derivatives as potential inhibitors of quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Get access
Computer-aided design of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides based on the chemophysical properties of a peptide isolated from Olivancillaria hiatula. Get access
Allosteric modulation of the main protease (MPro) of SARS-CoV-2 by casticin—insights from molecular dynamics simulations. Get access
Featured News
At the end of the 2022 summer internship program, the group organized a soccer event to improve socialization among summer participants. The event, held at the Brunei sports complex - KNUST, was attended by 40 people including Dr. Borquaye whose team lost by 9 goals to 2.
The Borquaye Research group organized an open workshop during the summer internship program for members and other research groups. Participants were guided through the concepts of molecular docking, the installation of various molecular docking tools, and how to solve drug discovery problems. Thank you to the facilitators (Prince Manu, Abigail Adomako, Aaron Boakye, Loretta Akakpo, Prisca Nketia, and Jehoshaphat Mensah) for ensuring the program's success and addressing all participant problems.
The annual summer internship program takes place from 10th October - 29th November, 2022. This involves undergraduates, national service personnel, graduate students and researchers from other departments and institutions.
We are endlessly thankful for the incredible postgraduates that joined us and so happy/sad to see off our first graduates. Congrats Daniel, Caleb, Rita, Bismark and Jehoshaphat!
Members of the group, led by Dr. Borquaye, assisted in moderating the international conference "CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, ADAPTATION, AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL TRANSFORMATION," which was organised by KNUST BSU III in collaboration with some Danish institutions. This was an opportunity to learn about the contributions of various research areas to addressing the issue of climate change while also strengthening scientific networks.
The group organizes a soccer event to improve socialization among members
The Borquaye Research Group organizes an open workshop on molecular docking
The 2022 summer internship program takes off
Five members join the group as postgraduates
The group participates in BSU III, a conference held at KNUST to address climate change