LAUTECH Receives German Grant To Research Malaria, COVID-19 Interplay

A Germany-based Education foundation; the Bayer Science and Education Foundation, has awarded the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, a grant to study the effects of Malaria parasite and Covid-19 virus on the human body.



A letter communicating the grant announced that the funding of the Humboldt Research Hub is made possible by the support from the Bayer Science and Education Foundation, Germany.



The letter revealed that the a molecular laboratory aimed at building human capacity prepared to handle disease outbreaks will be established in the premises of the Ogbomoso based university.


Mr. Lekan Fadeyi, the spokesperson if LAUTECH in a statement revealed that the research concept titled: ‘Establishment of Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases’ will run for five years and is expected to begin from August 2021 and end in July 2026.


“Specifically, the funding will establish a molecular biology laboratory and investigate the impact and implications of COVID 19/malaria co‐infection,” Fadeyi said.


The German Foundation said in the letter of award to LAUTECH that it hoped that the study would help to understand the clinical and immunological responses of malaria‐infected patients to COVID‐19.

Also, Professor Olusola Ojuroungbe, the Dean of Post Graduate School, LAUTECH, who spoke at the molecular laboratory said that the university dons are ready to work with Professor Thirumalaisamy Velavan of the University of Tuebingen, Germany.

Prof. Mohamed Osman of the University of Khartoum, Sudan, will also be part of the research.