Dr Amos Olalekan Abolaji

Certain environmental contaminants are known to predispose to different human diseases. Dr. Abolaji is currently working on the mechanisms by which these toxicants contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and female reproductive dysfunctions using Drosophila melanogaster and rodents as models. The detection of health risks associated with these toxins will ultimately aid in the design of concepts for prevention and possible therapy. 

In 2014, after a postdoctoral training at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, Dr Abolaji set up Drosophila laboratory at the University of Ibadan from scratch. The laboratory is currently well-equipped with state of the art equipment and collaborates with scientists around the world.

After the Africa-Oxford Initiative Fellowship in 2018, Dr Abolaji founded Drosophila Research and Training Centre (DRTC, www.drosophilartc.org) in Ibadan, Nigeria as a non-profit organization to facilitate the use of Drosophila as a cost-effective, alternative animal model for biomedical research and training in sub–Saharan African countries. 

Amos was an AfOx-Collaborative Fellow in 2018.

During his 8 week AfOx fellowship in 2018, Amos was hosted by the Department of Biochemistry and Hertford College.

• Fasae, K.D., Abolaji, A.O., Faloye, T.R., Odunsi, A.Y., Oyetayo, B.O., Enya, J.I., Rotimi, J.A., Akinyemi, R.O., Whitworth, A.J., Aschner, M. Metallobiology and therapeutic chelation of biometals (copper, zinc and iron) in Alzheimer's disease: Limitations, and current and future perspectives. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 67, 126779 (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126779. 
• Abolaji A.O., Ojo M., Afolabi T.T., Arowoogun M.D., Nwawolor D., Farombi E.O. Protective properties of 6-gingerol-rich fraction from Zingiber officinale (Ginger) on chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative damage and inflammation in the brain, ovary and uterus of rats. Chemico-Biological Interactions. 270, 15-23 (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.03.017.
• Abolaji A.O., Adedara I.A., Abajingin A.O., Fatunmibi O.J., Ladipo E.O., Farombi E.O. Evidence of oxidative damage and reproductive dysfunction accompanying 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide exposure in female Wistar rats. Reproductive Toxicology 66, 10-19 (2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.09.009.
• Abolaji, A.O., Kamdem, J.P., J.P., Lugokenski, T.H., Farombi, E.O., Souza, D.O., Loreto, E.L., Rocha, J.B. Ovotoxicants 4-vinylcyclohexene 1,2-monoepoxide and 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide disrupt redox status and modify different electrophile sensitive target enzymes and genes in Drosophila melanogaster. Redox Biology 5, 328-339 (2015). DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2015.06.001.
• Abolaji, A.O., Kamdem, J.P., Lugokenski, T.H., Nascimento, T.K., Waczuk, E.P., Farombi, E.O., Loreto, E.L., Rocha J.B.T. Involvement of oxidative stress in 4-vinylcyclohexene-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 71, 99-108 (2014). DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.03.014.