معرفی
Dr. Karrera Djoko is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences and Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. His research focuses on metal ion homeostasis in bacterial pathogens, particularly investigating how nutrient metals like copper, iron, and zinc are managed during host-pathogen interactions. Key research areas include understanding bacterial adaptation to host-imposed metal deprivation (nutritional immunity), developing antimicrobial strategies targeting metal metabolism, and elucidating the interplay between metal toxicity and bacterial survival mechanisms.
His research program addresses critical questions such as how host metal restriction impacts bacterial physiology, mechanisms of bacterial metal acquisition/defense, and the potential of metal-binding agents as novel therapeutics. He has published extensively on copper-zinc-manganese interactions in pathogens like Streptococcus pyogenes and Neisseria species, with a focus on enzymatic detoxification systems, metal efflux pumps, and redox regulation.
Dr. Djoko's work bridges microbiology, bioinorganic chemistry, and immunology, contributing to both fundamental understanding of microbial physiology and translational research in antimicrobial development. His team employs techniques ranging from molecular genetics to structural biology and biochemical assays, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his research.
