Christopher Chetsanga

Christopher J. Chetsanga (born 1935 in Murehwa, Rhodesia) is a prominent Zimbabwean scientist who is a member of the African Academy of Sciences.[1]

Christopher J Chetsanga
Born (1935-08-22) 22 August 1935
Murehwa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
NationalityZimbabwean
Alma materUniversity of California, Pepperdine University, University of Toronto
Known forDiscovery of two enzymes involved in DNA repair
Scientific career
FieldsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology
InstitutionsUniversity of Zimbabwe

Biography

Chetsanga was born in Murewa, Zimbabwe on 22 August 1935,[2] and was baptised in 1948. In his youth, he was educated at Nhowe Mission, and went on the study at University of California where he received his BSc in 1965. Chetsanga also studied for a period at University of Berkeley and Pepperdine University.[3] In 1969, he received his MSc and PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from University of Toronto[3] before becoming a post doctoral fellow at Harvard University between 1969 and 1972.[2] Between 1972 and 1983 he became a professor at the University of Michigan, then in 1983 he left to become the senior lecturer in Biochemistry for University of Zimbabwe.[4] In 1990, President Robert Mugabe awarded him President’s Award for Distinguished Contribution to Science and Technology.[2][5][6]

In 2004, when the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences was formed, Chetsanga was appointed the first president of the academy.[7] Chetsanga advocated the use of generically modified food sources as a possible solution for food shortages in Africa in 2020.[8]

Scientific Achievements

Chetsanga has discovered two enzymes involved in the repair of damaged DNA, firstly Formamidopyrimidine DNA Glycosylase, which removes damaged 7-methylguanine from DNA (1979).[9] and secondly DNA cyclase, which recloses imidazole rings of guanine and adenine damaged by x-irradiation (1985).[10]

According the Chetsanga, his research focus in his scientific career has been on DNA and RNA structural and functional details as they relate to cellular metabolism and disease development.[11]

References
  1. AAS. "Chetsanga, J. Christophe, Prof." Archived 2014-09-03 at the Wayback Machine, Fellow of AAS since 1986; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nairobi, unknown. Retrieved on 28 August 2014.
  2. "CHETSANGA Christopher J." TWAS. The World Academy of Science. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  3. David Mubvumbi, Paradzayi (2016). Christianity And Traditional Religions Of Zimbabwe : Contrasts And Similarities. Westbow Press. ISBN 9781512745108. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  4. "Prof. Christopher James Chetsanga". University of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  5. "EAI International Conference for Research, Innovation and Development for Africa". EAI. June 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  6. "Chetsanga Christopher". African Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  7. "OWSD Zimbabwe National Chapter is Launched". Organization for women in science for the developing world. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  8. "GMB to import GMO Maize". NewsdzeZimbabwe. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  9. Chetsanga, C.J.; Lindahl, T. (1979). "Release of 7-methylguanine residues whose imidazole rings have been opened from damaged DNA by a DNA glycosylase from Escherichia coli". Nucleic Acids Res. 6 (11): 3673–84. doi:10.1093/nar/6.11.3673. PMC 327965. PMID 386277.
  10. Chetsanga, C.J.; Grigorian, C. (1985). "In situ enzymatic reclosure of opened imidazole rings of purines in DNA damaged by gamma-irradiation". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 82 (3): 633–637. Bibcode:1985PNAS...82..633C. doi:10.1073/pnas.82.3.633. JSTOR 25324. PMC 397099. PMID 3856219.
  11. "Christopher J. Chetsanga". Pepperdine. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
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