Affiliation

Christopher Kinyanjui Kariuki

Assistant Research Scientist

chriskinya@kipre.go.ke

Qualifications

PhD, Bioscience Engineering
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) · 2022
MSc., Molecular Biology
Vrije Universiteit Brussel · 2014
BSc., Biomedical Science and Technology
Maseno University · 2007

Projects

VLIR-UOS IPMB, Organising Committee Member and Technical Trainer: Hands-on Workshop and Practical training in Molecular Biology
2017 - 2025
VLIR-UOS JOINT, Co-PI (Kenya): Initiating a Training
2019 - 2021
Network and Capacity Building to Improve Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Kenya and Ethiopia
IPR/EU FP7, Research fellow: NANOTRYP-exploiting nanobodies in development of new diagnostic tools and treatment methods for trypanosomiasis
2007 - 2012

Publications

1.Kariuki, C.K., Doijen, J., Mann, M.K., Xie, J., Loock, M. V. & Van Damme, E. (2026). Beyond assembly: functions of the coronavirus M protein. Virology Journal.
2.Woldemariyam FT, Kariuki CK, Kamau J, De Vleeschauwer A, De Clercq K, Lefebvre DJ, et al. EpidemiologicDynamics of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the Horn of Africa: The Role of Virus Diversity and Animal Movement. Viruses. 2023;15(4).
3.Kariuki CK, Stijlemans B, Magez S. The Trypanosomal Transferrin Receptor of Trypanosoma Brucei-A Review. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease [Internet]. 2019; 4(4). Original Research Articles 1. Mann, M., Yin, Y., Marsili, S., Xie, J., Doijen, J., Miller, R., Piassek, M., Broeck, N. V. den, Kariuki, C. K., Gruyter, H. L. M. D., Leijs, A. A., Snijder, E. J., Hemert, M. J. van, Keustermans, K., Gool, M. V., Yu, X., Loock, M. V., Koul, A., Sharma, S., ... Abeywickrema, P. (2025). Structural insights into MERS and SARS coronavirus membrane proteins. Communications Biology, 8(1). 2. Waweru, G., Nyakundi, R., Kutima, B., Owuor, S., Konyino, G., Gitonga, J. N., Lugano, D., Maina, A., Musyoki, J., Ochola, L., Alfred, M. O., Kariuki, C. K., Ogongo, P., Mwachari, C., Shee, F., Agoti, C. N., Sande, C., Uyoga, S., Kagucia, E. W., & Nyagwange, J. (2025). Assessing the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutations on Antibody Binding: A Comparative Assessment of the Wuhan and JN.1 Variants’ Full-Length Spikes in a Multiplex Luminex Assay. Viruses, 17(9), 1248. 3. Debing, Y., Vanrusselt, H., Degrauwe, L., Oliveira, D., Kariuki, C. K., Ebwanga, E. J., Bashir, S., Merckx, W., Thatikonda, S. K., Rajwanshi, V. K., Gohil, V., Jin, H., Kum, D. B., Sanchez, A. A., Chanda, S., Blatt, L. M., Jekle, A., Symons, J., Smith, D. B., & Paeshuyse, J. (2024). An in vivo duck hepatitis B virus model recapitulates key aspects of nucleic acid polymer treatment outcomes in chronic hepatitis B patients. Antiviral Research, 224, 105835.
4.Kariuki, C. K., & Magez, S. (2021). Improving the yield of recalcitrant Nanobodies® by simple modifications to the standard protocol. Protein Expression and Purification, 185, 105906.
5.Kamuyu, G., Tuju, J., Kimathi, R., Mwai, K., Mburu, J., Kibinge, N., Kwan, M. C., Hawkings, S., Yaa, R. M., Chepsat, E., Njunge, J. M., Chege, T., Guleid, F., Rosenkranz, M., Kariuki, C. K., Frank, R., Kinyanjui, S., Murungi, L., Bejon, P., ... Osier, F. (2018). KILchip v1.0: A Novel Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Protein Microarray to Facilitate Malaria Vaccine Candidate Prioritization. Frontiers in Immunology, 9.
6.Kariuki, C. K., Kagira, J., Mwadime, V., & Ngotho, M. (2015). Virulence and pathogenicity of three Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense stabilates in a Swiss white mouse model. African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 4(1).
7.Maranga, D. N., Kagira, J., Kariuki, C. K., Karanja, S., Maina, N., & Ngotho, M. (2013). IL-6 is Upregulated in Late-Stage Disease in Monkeys Experimentally Infected withTrypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Clinical and Developmental Immunology, 2013, 1–6.
8.Ngotho, M., Kagira, J., Kariuki, C. K., Maina, N., Thuita, J. K., Mwangangi, D. M., & Hau, J. (2011). Influence of trypanocidal therapy on the haematology of vervet monkeys experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Acta Tropica, 119(1), 14– 18