Michael Frimpong
Department of Molecular MedicinePhysical SciencesHealth SciencesSocial SciencesLife Sciences

Michael Frimpong

68 Publications18 Research Themes61 Open Access
Research Overview & Focus

The researcher has made significant contributions to health sciences through advancements in diagnostics, therapeutic interventions, and public health practices. They have developed novel rapid detection methods for infectious diseases, such as Mycobacterium ulcerans, SARS-CoV-2, and Salmonella enterica, improving clinical accuracy and efficiency. Their work on TB epidemiology has provided insights into multidrug-resistant bacteria, while their research on parasitic infections, particularly Schistosoma haematobium, has advanced understanding of neglected tropical diseases. The researcher’s focus on innovative methodologies, such as real-time recombinase polymerase amplification assays and rapid PCR tests, demonstrates a commitment to precision in detecting and managing life-threatening health conditions. Their global reach in sub-Saharan Africa underscores their dedication to addressing the healthcare needs of marginalized communities. By integrating biological technologies with clinical practices, they have significantly improved outcomes for public health, particularly in regions like Ghana where challenges remain prevalent.

Faculty Biography

My academic training and research experience have provided me with an excellent background in multiple biological disciplines including molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and immunology. I am passionate about becoming one of the increasing number of “home grown” world class researchers that are able to address pressing questions in Africa. I developed interest in NTDs with a focus on Buruli ulcer (BUD) in 2008 when together with colleagues from KCCR in collaboration with the Department of infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM, University of Munich, Germany), I worked on developing methods for early diagnosis, the investigation of social and economic impact of BUD. In 2011, I enrolled for my PhD with support from the BURULIVAC project which gave me invaluable hands-on experience in immunology, molecular biology and microbiology. In 2017, I successfully competed for the EDCTP Career Development Fellowship with which developed a rapid diagnostic assay on a mobile laboratory platform capable of diagnosing BUD at the point of patient care. Currently my group is evaluating this testing approach in two treatment centres in Ghana. I believe that I can contribute to and drive forward innovative research answering local needs by establishing a collaborative research program of diagnostic, microbiologic and genomic excellence in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Such research is essential for good policy making and ultimately for better health outcomes.

Key Research Themes (18)
Physical Sciences

Air Quality and Health Impacts

Physical Sciences

Biosensors and Analytical Detection

Health Sciences

Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control

Health Sciences

Dermatological diseases and infestations

Health Sciences

Inflammatory Biomarkers in Disease Prognosis

Social Sciences

Innovative Teaching Methods

Health Sciences

Malaria Research and Control

Health Sciences

Mycobacterium research and diagnosis

Life Sciences

Parasites and Host Interactions

Health Sciences

Platelet Disorders and Treatments

Social Sciences

Risk Management in Financial Firms

Life Sciences

Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology

Health Sciences

SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research

Health Sciences

SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing

Health Sciences

Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment

Health Sciences

Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology

Life Sciences

Vibrio bacteria research studies

Health Sciences

Zoonotic diseases and public health

Publications (68)

Clinical epidemiology of Buruli ulcer disease in Ghana, 2006–2024

2025Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1093/ced/llaf326

The microbiome of Total Suspended Particles and its influence on the respiratory microbiome of healthy office workers

Open Access
2025Air Quality and Health ImpactsDOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117874

The microbiome of Total Suspended Particles (TSP) and its influence on the respiratory microbiome of healthy office workers

Open Access
2024Air Quality and Health ImpactsDOI: 10.1101/2024.08.12.607611

Implementation of an integrated control programme for neglected tropical diseases of the skin in Ghana: The essential role of the laboratory

Open Access
2024Dermatological diseases and infestationsDOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2024.100442

Rapid Identification of Bacterial Composition in Wastewater by Combining Reverse Purification Nucleic Acid Extraction and Nanopore Sequencing

Open Access
2024Biosensors and Analytical DetectionDOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00794

Clinical and microbiological predictors of healing in Buruli ulcer disease

Open Access
2024Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2024.100415

Differences in PPD- and mitogen-induced T-cell activation marker expression characterize immunopathology in acute tuberculosis patients

Open Access
2024Tuberculosis Research and EpidemiologyDOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04741-3

An African One Health network for antimicrobial resistance and neglected tropical diseases

2024Zoonotic diseases and public healthDOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02666-0

A single synthetic lipid antigen for improved serological diagnosis of Buruli ulcer

Open Access
2023Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.5588/pha.23.0038

PA-706 Clinical and microbiological predictors of healing in Buruli ulcer disease

Open Access
2023Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-edc.274

PA-274 Lessons learned from a phase 2 diagnostic clinical trial in seven Sub-Saharan African countries

Open Access
2023SARS-CoV-2 detection and testingDOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-edc.137

OA-322 Bridging the research gaps on AMR in sub-Saharan Africa – A one health approach

Open Access
2023Zoonotic diseases and public healthDOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-edc.27

Evaluation of a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of Schistosoma haematobium infection in a resource-limited setting

Open Access
2023Parasites and Host InteractionsDOI: 10.21428/3d48c34a.e457ae37

Multi-centric evaluation of Biomeme Franklin Mobile qPCR for rapid detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans in clinical specimens

Open Access
2023Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011373

A multi-country phase 2 study to evaluate the suitcase lab for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in seven Sub-Saharan African countries: Lessons from the field

Open Access
2023SARS-CoV-2 detection and testingDOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105422

Multi-centric evaluation of Biomeme Franklin Mobile qPCR for rapid detection of<i>Mycobacterium ulcerans</i>in clinical specimens

Open Access
2022Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1101/2022.11.19.22282545

A combined effort of 11 laboratories in the WHO African region to improve quality of Buruli ulcer PCR diagnosis: The “BU-LABNET”

Open Access
2022Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010908

Diagnostics to support the eradication of yaws—Development of two target product profiles

Open Access
2022Syphilis Diagnosis and TreatmentDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010554

Diagnostics to support the eradication of yaws – Development of Two Target Product Profiles

Open Access
2022Syphilis Diagnosis and TreatmentDOI: 10.1101/2022.06.06.22276044

Mental health and quality of life burden in Buruli ulcer disease patients in Ghana

Open Access
2021Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00891-8

Caregiver burden in Buruli ulcer disease: Evidence from Ghana

Open Access
2021Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009454

Low risk of SARS-CoV-2 in blood transfusion

Open Access
2021SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchDOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249069

Co-infection of HIV in patients with Buruli ulcer disease in Central Ghana

Open Access
2021Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06009-7

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Ghana: insights from whole-genome sequencing

Open Access
2021SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchDOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-04986-3

Mapping suitability for Buruli ulcer at fine spatial scales across Africa: A modelling study

Open Access
2021Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009157

Evaluation of a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of Schistosoma haematobium infection in resource-limited setting

2021Parasites and Host InteractionsDOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105847

Suitcase Lab for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay

Open Access
2021SARS-CoV-2 detection and testingDOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04779

Diagnostics for COVID-19: A case for field-deployable, rapid molecular tests for community surveillance

Open Access
2020SARS-CoV-2 detection and testingDOI: 10.4314/gmj.v54i4s.11

A scabies outbreak in the North East Region of Ghana: The necessity for prompt intervention

Open Access
2020Dermatological diseases and infestationsDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008902

Multiplex Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Treponema pallidum and Haemophilus ducreyi in Yaws-Like Lesions

Open Access
2020Syphilis Diagnosis and TreatmentDOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040157

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern Ghana; Insights from Whole Genome Sequencing

Open Access
2020SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchDOI: 10.20944/preprints202009.0327.v1

Multiplex Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Treponema pallidum and Haemophilus ducreyi in yaws-like lesions

Open Access
2020Syphilis Diagnosis and TreatmentDOI: 10.20944/preprints202008.0569.v1

Barriers to Buruli ulcer treatment completion in the Ashanti and Central Regions, Ghana

Open Access
2020Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008369

Mapping suitability for Buruli ulcer at fine spatial scales across Africa: a modelling study

Open Access
2020Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1101/2020.04.20.20072348

Assessment of platelet indices and platelet activation markers in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Open Access
2020Malaria Research and ControlDOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03218-4

Rifampicin and clarithromycin (extended release) versus rifampicin and streptomycin for limited Buruli ulcer lesions: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority phase 3 trial

Open Access
2020Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30047-7

Rapid Extraction Method of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA from Clinical Samples of Suspected Buruli Ulcer Patients

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9040204

Inter-Laboratory Comparability of Clinical Chemistry Testing: A New Perspective

2019Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control

Buruli ulcer treatment: Rate of surgical intervention differs highly between treatment centers in West Africa

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007866

Paradoxical reactions in Buruli ulcer after initiation of antibiotic therapy: Relationship to bacterial load

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007689

Providing insight into the incubation period of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease: two case reports

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1186/s13256-019-2144-2

Expression of platelet parameters and platelet membrane glycoproteins in childhood Burkitt lymphoma

2019Platelet Disorders and TreatmentsDOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2019.106189

Mapping the global distribution of Buruli ulcer: a systematic review with evidence consensus

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30171-8

OC 8173 RAPID DETECTION OF <i>MYCOBACTERIUM ULCERANS</i> BY RECOMBINASE POLYMERASE AMPLIFICATION

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-edc.2

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans with isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification assay

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007155

Randomised Trial to Compare Clarithromycin (Extended Release)-Rifampicin and Streptomycin-Rifampicin for Early, Limited Lesions of &lt;i&gt;M. Ulcerans&lt;/i&gt; Infection

Open Access
2019Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3458507

Expression of Platelet Parameters and Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins in Childhood Burkitt Lymphoma

Open Access
2019Inflammatory Biomarkers in Disease PrognosisDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3391192

Recombinase polymerase amplification assay for detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA v1

Open Access
2018Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.17504/protocols.io.vvve666

IFN-γ and IL-5 whole blood response directed against mycolactone polyketide synthase domains in patients with<i>Mycobacterium ulcerans</i>infection

Open Access
2018Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.7717/peerj.5294

Characterization of Salmonella enterica from invasive bloodstream infections and water sources in rural Ghana

Open Access
2018Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiologyDOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-2957-4

Occurrences of Buruli ulcer infections in humans and Mycobacterium ulcerans in animal and environmental samples

Open Access
2018Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.17037/data.00001143

Key drivers of graduate students’ interest in the subject of immunology in a tertiary institution of Ghana

Open Access
2018Innovative Teaching MethodsDOI: 10.1080/2331186x.2018.1498162

Mapping the Global Distribution of Buruli Ulcer Through a Systematic Review with an Evidence Consensus Approach

Open Access
2018Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3301628

Clearance of viable Mycobacterium ulcerans from Buruli ulcer lesions during antibiotic treatment as determined by combined 16S rRNA reverse transcriptase /IS 2404 qPCR assay

Open Access
2017Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005695

Graduate students’ interest in immunology as a discipline

Open Access
2017Innovative Teaching MethodsDOI: 10.1080/2331186x.2017.1398705

Buruli ulcer: wound care and rehabilitation

Open Access
2016Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.2147/cwcmr.s85469

High prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among patients with rifampicin resistance using GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin in Ghana

Open Access
2016Tuberculosis Research and EpidemiologyDOI: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.02.004

Metabolomic profiles delineate mycolactone signature in Buruli ulcer disease

Open Access
2015Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1038/srep17693

Simple, Rapid Mycobacterium ulcerans Disease Diagnosis from Clinical Samples by Fluorescence of Mycolactone on Thin Layer Chromatography

Open Access
2015Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004247

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Laboratory Confirmation of Buruli Ulcer Disease—Towards a Point-of-Care Test

Open Access
2015Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004219

Drinking Water from Dug Wells in Rural Ghana — Salmonella Contamination, Environmental Factors, and Genotypes

Open Access
2015Vibrio bacteria research studiesDOI: 10.3390/ijerph120403535

Effectiveness of Routine BCG Vaccination on Buruli Ulcer Disease: A Case-Control Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Togo

Open Access
2015Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003457

Microscopy for Acid Fast Bacilli: A Useful but Neglected Tool in Routine Laboratory Diagnosis of Buruli Ulcer

2015Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.4172/2329-891x.1000158

Reply to “Compliance with Antimicrobial Therapy for Buruli Ulcer”

Open Access
2014Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1128/aac.03874-14

A Severe Case of Buruli Ulcer Disease with Pleural Effusions

Open Access
2014Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002868

Combined Inflammatory and Metabolic Defects Reflected by Reduced Serum Protein Levels in Patients with Buruli Ulcer Disease

Open Access
2014Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002786

Infection with<i>Mansonella perstans</i>Nematodes in Buruli Ulcer Patients, Ghana

Open Access
2014Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.3201/eid2006.131501

THE ROLE OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION IN PROMOTING EFFECTIVE AUDIT PRACTICES IN GHANA

2013Risk Management in Financial Firms
Academic Metrics
DepartmentDepartment of Molecular Medicine
Total Publications68
Research Themes18
Open Access Papers61

Department of Molecular Medicine

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

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