Applied Microbiology: Open Access
Open Access

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Biography

Runo's research interest focuses on use of modern tools in Molecular Biology to overcome biotic and abiotic constraints of food production, as well as to enhance the understanding of modern biotechnology.  Specifically, his  work revolves around five interrelated areas: long-distance RNA trafficking between parasitic plants and their hosts; RNA interference (RNAi) as a resistance mechanism against parasites; genetic engineering strategies for enhancing drought tolerance in tropical crops; agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation of cereals as a functional genomics tool for plant-parasite interactions; and molecular mechanisms of parasitic plants/host plants interactions.

Publications

• Research Article   
  Towards Managing and Controlling Aflatoxin Producers within Aspergillus Species in Infested Rice Grains Collected from Local Market in Kenya
  Author(s): Youmma Douksouna*, Andrew Nyerere, Joel Masanga, Steven Runo and Zach�©e Ambang
  
  Rice grain can be attacked by a range of pathogens, including Aspergillus species, which can cause accumulation of aflatoxins that represent a serious threat the consumers. Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxic metabolites synthesized by certain species of Aspergillus. This study was designed to analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus species and aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in rice grains being sold in the local markets. A total of 98 samples were randomly collected and primarily analyzed to observe the moisture content and fungal growth. Subsequently, Aspergillus species were isolated, characterized using ITS primers and screened for aflatoxigenic fungal targeting specific genes (nor-1 and ver-1) involved in aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway using PCR assay. It was observed that all tested samples we.. View More»
  

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