Peter Twumasi
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.
Faculty Biography
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.
Botanical Research and Applications
Cassava research and cyanide
Child Nutrition and Water Access
Cleft Lip and Palate Research
Forensic and Genetic Research
Insect Utilization and Effects
Leaf Properties and Growth Measurement
Mining Techniques and Economics
Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
Pineapple and bromelain studies
Plant and animal studies
Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
Plant Reproductive Biology
Plant tissue culture and regeneration
Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
Therapeutic Uses of Natural Elements
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
Open AccessIron status predicts cognitive test performance of primary school children from Kumasi, Ghana
Open AccessImpact of the SARS-CoV-2 S-protein G476S mutation on the interaction with human ACE-2 receptor and neutralizing antibodies
Open AccessImpact of the SARS-CoV-2 S-protein G476S mutation on the interaction with human ACE-2 receptor and neutralizing antibodies
Open AccessCo‐occurrence of orofacial clefts and clubfoot phenotypes in a sub‐Saharan African cohort: Whole‐exome sequencing implicates multiple syndromes and genes
Open AccessForensic identification of missing persons using DNA from surviving relatives and femur bone retrieved from salty environment
Open AccessGenomic analyses in African populations identify loci for cleft palate
Assessment of the effect of mining on the ecosystem: A comparative study of the Czech Republic and Obuasi in the Amansie District of Ghana
Genomic analyses in African populations identify novel risk loci for cleft palate
Open AccessA comparative study of different laboratory storage conditions for enhanced DNA analysis of crime scene soil-blood mixed sample
Comparative PCR analyses for the detection of the Cape St. Paul wilt disease phytoplasma in coconut palms in Ghana
Non-Random Distribution of Human Orofacial Clefts in Ghana: Gene-Environment Interactions
Open AccessLoss-of-Function GRHL3 Variants Detected in African Patients with Isolated Cleft Palate
Open AccessThe prevalence, penetrance, and expressivity of etiologic<i><scp>IRF</scp>6</i>variants in orofacial clefts patients from sub‐Saharan Africa
Open AccessUse of pineapple waste for single cell protein (SCP) production and the effect of substrate concentration on the yield
Association Studies and Direct DNA Sequencing Implicate Genetic Susceptibility Loci in the Etiology of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts in Sub-Saharan African Populations
Open AccessGenetic relationships between some released and elite Ghanaian cassava cultivars based on distance matrices
Open AccessOsmotic potential of Zinnia elegans plant material affects the yield and morphology of tracheary elements produced in vitro
Open AccessPica practice among pregnant women in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana
Open AccessCaspase inhibitors affect the kinetics and dimensions of tracheary elements in xylogenic Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) cell cultures
Open AccessEstablishing <i>in vitro Zinnia elegans</i> cell suspension culture with high tracheary element differentiation
Differential effects of temperature on stem length and xylem vessel length distribution in<i>Zinnia elegans</i>
Hydraulic properties of Zinnia elegans : from cellular development in vitro to performance in planta
Manipulation of programmed cell death in xylogenic Zinnia elegans suspension cell cultures influences the kinetics and dimensions of tracheary elements produced
EFFECTS OF WATER STRESS DURING GROWTH ON XYLEM ANATOMY, XYLEM FUNCTIONING AND VASE LIFE IN THREE ZINNIA ELEGANS CULTIVARS
Effects of water stress on xylem anatomy, xylem functioning and vase life during growth of two zinnia elegans cv's
Quality regulation of plants by controlling xylem vessel dimensions during xylogenesis.
Effect of water stress during growth on xylem anatomy in three Zinnia elegans cv's
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology