Foster Kyei (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Cape Coast (UCC). He is an expert in Molecular Medicine and applies physical, chemical, biological, bioinformatics and medical techniques to:
• describe molecular mechanisms of diseases
• identify fundamental molecular and genetic errors of diseases
• develop molecular interventions to correct diseases
He is engaged in teaching and research and his expertise span across ways to diagnose and treat diseases by understanding the way genes, proteins, and other cellular molecules work. His work is not limited in scope; he also applies molecular techniques and tools in all areas of the life sciences. One of his major research themes focuses on investigations into colon cancer, specifically the:
• development of molecular markers for colon cancer diagnostics
• transcriptional network in colon cancer and
• molecular mechanisms in colon cancer tumorigenesis
His current research focus emphasizes the application of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biology to solving complex issues in human embryology to aid conception. In particular, Dr. Kyei is exploring optimization of preimplantation genetic screening, both PGT-A (to identify aneuploid embryos) and PGT-M (to test for known monogenic gene disorders) to improve IVF cycle outcomes and mitigate transfer of debilitating heritable genes. He is especially interested in preimplantation detection of the genetic causes of sickle cell anemia and of the genes that predispose to breast and ovarian cancers (BRCA-1 and BRCA-2).
Dr. Kyei also serves as an adjunct lecturer at the Pan African University (Institute for Basic Science, Technology and Innovation - Nairobi, Kenya) and the Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology - Ghana). Foster has successfully supervised, mentored, and graduated a significant number of undergraduates, MPhil and PhD students. He has been involved in postgraduate theses assessments locally in UCC and externally. He serves on local committees in the School of Biological Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, UCC. His research initiatives have attracted much attention; resulting in research collaboration and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Cape Coast and the University of the West Indies. Foster is also in research collaboration with Kwazulu-Natal University into finding potent indigenous plant compounds as alternatives to Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Foster is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum development and writing and actively reviews curriculum/academic programmes for Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). He is an astute reviewer for the "Molecular Medicine Reports" Journal. Foster is a member of prestigious professional bodies such as the Ghana Science Association, the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the American Society for Cancer Research.