Biophysics

Dr. Dang Koko Adamou, Email: adamoudangk@acas-yde.org, phone: +237 696106183

Biophysical researches at ACAS encompass a wide range of topics including charge transport in DNA, proteins, microtubules dynamics, active assemblies in fluids and collective motion. Our research uses a range of mathematical techniques coupled with advanced computer simulations to decipher intrinsic properties of molecular machines such as swimmers, motor proteins, ions channels and transport across soft and biological media like DNA, protein to name just a few.

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Currently, our investigations on motor proteins focus on the dynamics of microtubules. These are network protein assemblies responsible for cellular mobility and mitosis; the aim is to deepen our understanding of environmental conditions of the polymerization/ depolymerization processes.

Charge and energy transport in DNA and proteins are investigated using different models. Especially, effects of key models processes on the dynamics are considered such as conformations and inhomogeneities. Analytical results are usually tested by intensive numerical simulations.

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As active assembly research activity is concerned, our interests lie on dynamics and transport of molecular swimmers, in particular self-propelled particles, active Browian particles, and, run and tumble particles. Our aim is to provide in simple mathematical rules and conditions prevailing at the order-disorder transition within active systems, and accordingly try to understand how these particles work under different physical constraints. The mathematical formalisms and modeling techniques we employ range from kinetic theory to conservations laws. Using these approaches coupled to exact solutions methods and advanced computer simulations allows us to quantify and measure physical quantities related to transport and stability of the bulk system.

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Members

Dr. Yae Gaba Ulrich, ACAS, Yaounde, Cameroon and IMSP, Benin

Kombou Nzouebet Arielle, email: kombouz@acas-yde.org

KOMBOU NZOUEBET Arielle was borned at Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. After compliting her primary and secondary schools, she obtained a 'baccalauréat D' in experimental sciences in 2013. From 2013 to now, she has been studying physics at the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon. In 2019, Kombou received a bachelor degree in physics and major in mechanics. She got interested in biophysical sciences and continued her studies within the biophysics laboratory. Now, she intends to obtain a master in biophysics with thesis, on the topic “regulation of glucose insulin system”.

Kombou is also interested in encouraging women in science. She is part of the ACAS project on 'Popularization of research among African youth' that aims to encourage young africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics carriers.

Mvembe Fanny Nicaise
Email: mvembef@acas-yde.org;

Mvembe Nicaise is from southern Cameroon. She currently resides in Yaounde where she is continuing her University studies. Enrolled in the physics department of the faculty of science since 2014, she obtained a bachelor degree in 2017. With the aim to work on interdisciplinary research topics, she joined the biophysics laboratory in 2018. She is currently completing her master thesis on a topic related to  mathematical modeling of disease propagations.

Mvembe is also interested in encouraging women in science. She is part of the ACAS project on 'Popularization of research among African youth' that aims to encourage young africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics carriers.

PhD student. Tabapsi Kamdem Rostang
Email: tabapsikr@acas-yde.org;

Rostand Tabapsi Kamdem was born in Yaounde, Cameroon. He completed his secondary school studies at the 'Lycée the Ngoulmekong' in Yaounde where he obtained a 'baccalauréat C' in mathematics and physical sciences in 2012. From 2012-2016, he studied physics at the University of yaounde I and got a bachelor degree.  Tabapsi then entered the biophysics laboratory of the physics Department in 2016, he defended a masters degree thesis in 2019. From 2019 to present, he is a PhD student working on the topic of nonlinear dynamics of microtubules.

Tabapsi also part of the ACAS project on 'Popularization of research among African youth' that aims to encourage young africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics carriers.

Dr. Domgno Kuipou William

Email: kuipouwilliam@acas-yde.org

William Kuipou was born in Bandjoun, Western Cameroon. After graduating from High School, he studied Physics at the University of Yaounde I. He graduated with Bachelor of Science in Physics in 2014, a Master Degree by Research in Physics: Specialty Biophysics in 2016, and a Ph.D. in the same Specialty in 2022. His research interest primarily lies in field of Soft Matter, especially the active suspensions of self-propelled biological entities. His aim is to provide new insights on the spatiotemporal transport of those entities, and the impact of their organizational dynamics onto the topology of the medium. To this end, Kuipou generally applies mathematical and numerical modeling through which qualitative and quantitative predictions are performed.

Kuipou is also part of the ACAS project on 'Popularization of research among African youth' that aims to encourage young Africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics carriers.

Dr. Dang Koko Adamou
Email: adamoudangk@acas-yde.org

Biophysicist interested in energy transport in biological systems, especially DNA.

https://acas-yde.org/acas_teams/dang-koko-adamou/

Full Professor: H. P. Fouda Ekobena
Email: hpekobena@acas-yde.org

Biophysicist: creator of the biophysics laboratory at the physics department, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I

https://acas-yde.org/acas_teams/ekobena-fouda-henri-paul/

Dr. Yae Gaba Ulrich, ACAS, Yaounde, Cameroon and IMSP, Benin

PhD student: Ndjawa Yomi Pavel Arnold

Email: pavel.ndjawa@acas-yde.org

Pavel Arnold Ndjawa Yomi was born in Yaounde, central Cameroon. After his secondary education, he enrolled at the University of Yaounde I in 2012 where he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Physics in 2015. He entered the laboratory of Nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics and biophysics and focused on biophysics studies and got a Master with thesis in 2018 in the latter subfield.  Thereafter, he continued with a Structured Master in Mathematical Sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS-Cameroon) where he graduated in 2019. He is interested in mathematical modelling of infectious diseases, quantitative evolution and ecology, and data science. From 2018 to present, he has been a PhD student from the biophysics lab working on the topic of nonlinear dynamics of blood flow along vessels under the influence of magnetic field, nanofluids, nanoparticles, and external metabolisms.

Ndjawa also part of the ACAS project on 'Popularization of research among African youth' that aims to encourage young africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics carriers.

 

Dr. Ondoua
Email: ondouayr@acas-yde.org; Tel: +237 699 358 483/679 740 646

Dr. ONDOUA Rodrigue-Yanick was born in South Cameroon. He obtained his G.C.E Advanced Level Diploma, Government Classical High School of Ebolowa, in the south Cameroon. He continued his graduate studies in the Center region at the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon until obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, Masters in Biohysics and finally a PhD in Biophysics in the Laboratory of Nuclear, Atomic, Molecular Physics and Biophysics.  Dr. ONDOUA Rodrigue-Yanick also holds a Secondary and High School Teacher’s Diploma from the Higher Teachers Training College of Yaounde, Cameroon. He started teaching in high schools and today he is a Lecturer at the University of Douala, Cameroon.

His main area is the study of molecular dynamics with applications in energy transport in biological molecules.  Recent works are made through energy transport in α-helix protein chains. From one strand to three stands; the phenomenon of Modulational Instability is used to materialize this energy and numerical simulations are made to confirm the analytical predictions. He also focused on inhomogeneities and long-range interactions in the α-helix where exact solutions are built and their stabilities studied numerically. Several projects are underway on energy transport in proteins with slightly more complex models.

PhD student: Tabi Djou Blaise
Email: tabiblaise@acas-yde.org

Tabi Dzou Blaise was born in Nkol-Akono in the Center Region of Cameroon. After he graduating at high school with an A-Level, he enrolled at the University of Yaounde I in 2011 where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in physics in 2017. He entered the laboratory of Nuclear, Atomic and Molecular Physics and Biophysics and got a Master’s degree of Science in Physics in 2020 in the same field. Since then, he has been interested in the mathematical modelling as well as the dynamics of infectious diseases. From 2020 until now, he is a PhD student from the Laboratory of Biophysics and Special Measurements working on the topic of effect of inhomogeneities on the nonlinear dynamics of cardiac cells with time-delay.  He is also interested in Nonlinear waves in media with  quintic nonlinearities with cross diffusion.

Tabi is a member of the ACAS project on ‘Popularization of research among African youth’ that aims to encourage young africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics carriers.

Dr. Yae Gaba Ulrich, ACAS, Yaounde, Cameroon and IMSP, Benin

PhD student: Kepta Kouamegni Aurore Cédrine

Email: keptaaurore@acas-yde.org

Kepta Kouamegni Aurore Cédrine is from the western region of Cameroon. She was born in Yaounde in the Central region Cameroon, where she currently resides. She obtained a “Baccalauréat C" in mathematics and physical sciences in 2014, and a “Baccalauréat D" in experimental biological sciences in 2016. Kepta started studying physics at the physics department of the University of Yaounde I in 2014. She obtained a Bachelor degree in 2017 and then entered the laboratory of Biophysics and Special Measures at the same university in 2017. KEPTA defended a Master degree with thesis in biophysics in December 2020. Now, she is a PhD student working on the topic of neurodegenerative diseases.

Masters student:  Fouemekeu Teguimdjio Levine
Email: fouemekeu@acas-yde.org

Levine Fouemekeu  was born at Bafou, Western Cameroon. After completing primary and secondary schools, she obtained a 'baccalauréat C' in  Physical sciences in 2015. From 2015 to now, she has been studying physics at the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon. In 2019,  Fouemekeu received a Bachelor in fundamental physics and applications. She got interested in biophysical sciences and continued her studies within the laboratory of  Biophysics and Special Measures. Now, she  is doing a master 2 in medical physics at the University of Lille.

Fouemekeu is also interested in encouraging women in science. She is part of the ACAS project on Popularization of research among African youth' that aims to encourage young Africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics carriers.

Masters student: Yankam Petbun Dorcasse
Email: yankam@acas-yde.org

Dorcasse Yankam  was born in Yaounde , Centre, Cameroon. After completing her primary and secondary schools, she obtained a 'baccalauréat C' in  Physical sciences in 2016. From 2016 to 2022, she has been studying physics at the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon. In 2020,  Yankam received a Bachelor in fundamental physics and applications. She got interested in biophysical sciences and continued her studies within the laboratory of Biophysics and Special Measures. Now, she  is doing a Postgraduate Diploma Programme at ICTP, track Quantitative Life Science.

Yankam is also interested in encouraging women in science. She is part of the ACAS project on Popularization of research among African youth that aims to encourage young Africans to move to science technology engineering and mathematics careers.

Dr. Yae Gaba Ulrich, ACAS, Yaounde, Cameroon and IMSP, Benin

Masters student: Djou Meli Yannela

Email: djoumeli@acas-yde.org

Djou Meli was born in Bangang, the Bamboutos Subdivision, western Cameroon. After obtaining her ‘Baccalauréat C’ in mathematics and physical sciences in 2018, she continued her education at the University of Yaounde I the same year and studied phyics. Djou Meli obtained a Bachelor degree in physics, option mechanics in 2021.

Passionate about medecine from an early age, she decided to study biophysics and entered the laboratory of Biophysics and Special Measures of the University of Yaounde I. Currently, Djou Meli is a Master  2 student working on active matter; she is investigating the dynamics of chemotactic subpopulations for her Masters thesis dissertation she intends to defend by June 2023.

With a focus on sport, dance  and music, Djou Meli also works at the academic library of the University Catholic Center.

 

Masters student:  Onanena Abonlame Bleuette Capucine
Email: oabc@acas-yde.org

Onanena Abonlame Bleuette Capucine was born in Yaounde, Centre region of Cameroon. In 2017 she obtained her GCE Advanced Level after the completion of her secondary school curriculum and the same year she enrolled in the University of Yaounde I. From 2017 to present, she has been
studying physics at the University of Yaounde I, where in 2021 she obtained a Bachelor degree of Science in Fundamental Physics. She is currently pursuing her postgraduate studies in the Laboratory of Biophysics and Special measures.

Masters student: Nguepi Vannelle
Email: nguepi@acas-yde.org

Nguepi Vannelle is from the western region of Cameroon. She was born in Yaounde, Center Region. She did her secondary studies at the government high school Biyem-Assi where she obtained her “baccalaureate C” in mathematics and physical sciences in 2018. The same year, she enrolled at the University of Yaounde I to pursue her studies in physics. In 2021 she obtained a Bachelor degree in Fundamental Physics. Nguepi is interested in biophysics more precisely on the dynamics of chemotatic particles.

Publications

  • R. Tabapsi Kamdem, D. Belobo Belobo, A. Dang Koko, Energy localization in microtubules with radial dislocation, C. B. Tabi and T. C. Kofané, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 138, 433 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-023-04051-9
  • William Kuipou, Alidou Mohamadou, Surface tension coupled non-uniformly imposed flows modulate the activity of reproducing chemotactic bacteria in porous media, Sci. Rep. 13, 5561 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31753-y
  • F. K. Nando Tezoh, A. Dang Koko and H. P. Ekobena Fouda, Modes of electrical activities and energy of Hindmarsh–Rose model coupled by memristive synapses, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 138, 267 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31753-y
  • C. D. Bansi Kamdem, P. A. Ndjawa Yomi, C. B. Tabi, A. Mohamadou, Modulated blood waves in the coupled complex Ginzburg–Landau equations of Jeffrey fluids in arteries, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 138, 176 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-023-03771-2
  • W. Domgno Kuipou, A. Mohamadou, Management of invasive cells in soft biological tissues through modulated nonlinear excitations: Long-range effects, Commun. Nonlinear Sci. Numer. Simul. 110, 106360 (2022), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnsns.2022.106360
  • W. Domgno Kuipou, D. Belobo Belobo, A. Mohamadou, H. P. Ekobena Fouda, Step, dip, and bell-shape traveling waves in a (2 + 1)-chemotaxis model with traction and long-range diffusion, Biophysics (active matter), Eur. Phys. J. Plus 137, 353 (2022), https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-022-02496-y
  • W. Domgno Kuipou, A. Mohamadou, E. Kengne, Cellular transport through nonlinear mechanical waves in fibrous and absorbing biological tissues, Chaos Soliton Fract. 152, 111321 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2021.111321
  • W. Domgno Kuipou, D. Belobo Belobo, A. Mohamadou, New traveling waves for a (2 + 1)-dimensional chemotactic system with uniform flow, Biophysics, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 136, 701 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-01781-6
  • R. Y Ondoua, J. C. Mimshe Fewu, D. Belobo Belobo, C. B. Tabi, H. P. Ekobena Fouda, Excitons dynamic in a three-stranded α -helix protein chains with diagonal and off-diagonal couplings: effects of strong long-range interactions, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 136, 1 (2021), https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-01279-1
  • R. Y. Ondoua and D. Belobo Belobo, Solitary waves dynamic for Davydov α-helical protein model: Effects of localized and periodic inhomogeneities, Phys. Rev. E 102, 062414 (2020), https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.102.062414
  • D. Belobo Belobo and A. Dang Koko, Bright solitary waves as charge transport in DNA: a variational approach, Biopolymers 111, e23346 (2020), https://doi.org/10.1002/bip.23346