Projects per year
Personal profile
Research
My lab aims to understand the genetic and molecular basis of complex glycan metabolism and function in health and disease and how this knowledge can be exploited to improve plant, microbial, human health and the bioeconomy. To achieve this, we apply a variety of techniques in carbohydrate chemistry, enzymology, genetics, structural biology, microscopy and bioinformatics.
Background and current projects
Glycans are present in almost all life forms including plants, animals and microbes. They exhibit remarkable structural diversity and complexity, enabling them to participate in a variety of critical physiological and pathophysiological processes including cell signalling, growth, development, infection, metastasis, immunity, nutrition and disease. The importance of glycans is also exemplified by the fact that their exploitation has led to the development of several high value biologicals including therapeutics, vaccines, drug delivery systems, diagnostics and other glycan-based commercial products such as gelling agents, thickening agents, animal feeds and biofuels which have greatly enhanced human, plant health and the bioeconomy. Glycan research is however greatly hampered by glycan structural complexity, limited knowledge of glycan metabolism and function and availability of methods and enabling tools. These in turn limit our ability to exploit the full potential of glycans. Focusing on some of nature’s most complex glycans, my group is currently developing new genetic/biochemical tools and approaches to enable us to address these important limitations. Some current projects include;
- A microbial glycan production platform for glycoscience research. We are working together with chemists to develop glycan production/analytical platforms and tools to expedite glycoscience research.
- Understanding the biosynthesis and function of the pectin rhamnogalacturonan II in plants. The plant cell wall glycan rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) is the most structurally complex glycan known. Increasing evidence suggests that it plays a critical role in plant growth and development as mutations that alter its structure and composition lead to strong developmental phenotypes. Recently we have unravelled new molecular details of RG-II and demonstrated that is an important nutrient source for the human gut microbiota, a key modulator of host health. Given the importance and potential of RG-II, detailed molecular studies into the biology of RGII in plants are highly required. We aim to gain new insights into its metabolism to underpin the study of its role in plant growth, development and other potential applications e.g., for crop improvement purposes or the production of next generation glycan-based health products.
- Metabolism of complex glycans by the human gut microbiota. The human gut harbours a complex community of diverse microbial species, the human gut microbiota (HGM), whose activities greatly impact human health and disease status. Its role in human health is further reinforced by several lines of evidence highlighting strong links between HGM composition and important human conditions such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Complex glycans, most of which are derived from dietary plant cell wall material are a major source of nutrients for the HGM. Understanding how the HGM interacts and metabolises these complex glycans could therefore inform pre-, probiotic and other therapeutic strategies to manipulate the HGM for human health benefit.
- Role of complex cell wall glycans in plant disease. This project aims to enhance our understanding of the role of complex plant cell wall glycans in plant disease and health by investigating their interactions with pathogenic and mutualistic plant microbes.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, NOVEL GLYCAN-TARGETED EXTRACELLULAR PROTEASES FROM DIVERGENT MUCOSAL MICROBES, Newcastle University
Award Date: 13 Dec 2013
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 2 Active
-
How Plant-Colonising Fungi Interact With Rhamnogalacturonan-ll
Ndeh, D. (Investigator)
1/12/23 → 31/05/25
Project: Research
-
Understanding The Biosynthesis And Function Of Rhamnogalacturonan II In Plants
Ndeh, D. (Investigator)
1/01/23 → 31/12/27
Project: Research
-
A genetic locus in the gut microbe Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron encodes activities consistent with mucin-O-glycoprotein processing and plays a critical role in N-acetylgalactosamine metabolism
Ndeh, D. A. (Lead / Corresponding author), Nakjang, S., Kwiatkowski, K. J., Koropatkin, N. M., Hirt, R. P. (Lead / Corresponding author) & Bolam, D. N. (Lead / Corresponding author), 2 Feb 2024, BioRxiv, 35 p.Research output: Working paper/Preprint › Preprint
-
Discovery, structural characterization, and functional insights into a novel apiosidase from the GH140 family, isolated from a lignocellulolytic-enriched mangrove microbial community
Liberato, M. V., Paixao, D. A. A., Tomazetto, G., Ndeh, D., Bolam, D. N. & Squina, F. M. (Lead / Corresponding author), Apr 2024, In: Biotechnology Letters. 46, 2, p. 201-211 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
Exploring the sequence-function space of microbial fucosidases
Gascuena, A. M., Wu, H., Owen, D., Hernando, P. J., Monaco, S., Penner, M., Gall, G. L., Gardner, R., Ndeh, D., Urbanowicz, P., Spencer, D. I. R., Walsh, M., Angulo, J. & Juge, N., 28 Jul 2023, Research Square.Research output: Working paper/Preprint › Preprint
Open AccessFile40 Downloads (Pure) -
Understanding complex glycan metabolism and function
Ndeh, D., 19 Jun 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
-
Fucosidases from the human gut symbiont Ruminococcus gnavus
Wu, H., Rebello, O., Crost, E. H., Owen, C. D., Walpole, S., Bennati-Granier, C., Ndeh, D., Monaco, S., Hicks, T., Colvile, A., Urbanowicz, P. A., Walsh, M. A., Angulo, J., Spencer, D. I. R. & Juge, N. (Lead / Corresponding author), Jan 2021, In: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 78, 2, p. 675-693 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile43 Citations (Scopus)131 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
-
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2022, (HORIZON-MSCA-2021)
Ndeh, D. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
-
Royal Society Enhanced Research Expenses award, 2022 (RF\ERE\221041)
Ndeh, D. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
-
UK Commonwealth Scholarship, Newcastle University (CMCS-2010-86)
Ndeh, D. (Recipient), 2010
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
UK Commonwealth Scholarship , Nottingham trent University (CMCS 70017356)
Ndeh, D. (Recipient), 2008
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
University of Dundee Institutional Strategic Support Fund (Associate staff - Doctoral academy)
Ndeh, D. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
-
Poster Judge. Poster presentation event for 3rd year PhD students
Ndeh, D. (Examiner)
25 Oct 2023Activity: Other activity types › Other
-
Undergraduate seminar report marker - BS40010 - Honours Year Research Project & Skills ( SEM 1 23/24 )
Ndeh, D. (Member)
19 Oct 2023Activity: Other activity types › Other
-
The ISME Journal (Journal)
Ndeh, D. (Member)
9 Aug 2023Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review
-
Journal of Medical Microbiology (Journal)
Ndeh, D. (Peer reviewer)
12 Jun 2023Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review
-
Grant Reviewer: BBSRC Discovery Fellowships
Ndeh, D. (Contributor)
4 Sept 2023Activity: Other activity types › Other