Jacqueline Waeni
Supervisors
Dr. Richard Oduor
Dr. Charles Sande
I’m interested in applying modern systems tools to identify biomarkers of life-threatening infections in infants. Our studies are underpinned by a well-established demographic and health surveillance system that integrates comprehensive clinical, laboratory and demographic data for all infants who are admitted to hospital with severe infections as well as those with relatively mild infections. Using samples (nasal secretions, PBMC, serum and whole blood tempus RNA samples) collected from infants presenting with a broad spectrum of disease severity – ranging from life-threatening to mild infections – we employ a broad range of systems biology approaches – including proteomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics and systems serology – to identify biomarkers of life-threatening severe disease in infants.
Jacqueline holds a BSc. Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing her MSc in Biotechnology from Kenyatta University. She is an IDeAL Masters fellow at the KEMRI Well-come trust research programme.
Jacqueline’s research project seeks to identify and validate transcriptional plasma-cell biomarkers that are predictive of the long-term serological response to individual viral antigens. Her study utilizes molecular techniques to determine the expression levels of these potential transcriptional markers shortly after natural respiratory infection and correlates them with a diversity of immunological measures measured approximately one month later. The identification of a “one size fits all” biomarker capable of accurately and consistently predicting disease severity would allow pediatricians to cost-effectively predict the clinical course of disease which will greatly enhance the prospect of addressing the morbidity/ mortality burden of severe respiratory disease
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