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Dr. Njajou, from the U. of Ngoa-Ekelle to working with Dr E. Blackburn the 2009 Nobel Prize laureate in Medecine
Cameroonwebnews| 23 December 2009|
Many of you have requested an English version of Dr. Omer Njajou’s interview. We are granting your request by providing you with the translated version below.
Dr Omer T. Njajou - University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
On the eve of the Nobel Prize ceremony in Oslo,Norway, Cameroonwebnews had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Omer Njajou at his residence near San Francisco. Dr. Njajou has published with Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2009. Dr. Njajou was asked to share his thoughts on his collaboration with Dr. Blackburn, on scientific research in Africa, Cameroon, and its future projects.
CWN-Dr Omer Njajou, thank you for granting this interview to Cameroonwebnews. Dr. Njajou, tell us about you. How long have you been at UCSF (University of California San Francisco)?
Dr. Njajou-First of all my thanks to Cameroonwebnews for giving me the opportunity to interact with web-users and particularly to all readers of Cameroonwebnews. I was born and raised in Cameroon. After the University of Yaounde where I got my degree in Biochemistry in 1992, I furthered my education at the University of Jos Plateau State, Nigeria for a Master in Medical Parasitology and later in Medical Laboratory Sciences between 1993 and 1996. In 1997, I received a scholarship for The Netherlands, where I studied and obtained my PhD in Genetics and Epidemiology at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Afterwards, I worked at the Erasmus University Rotterdam as a researcher and lecturer in Genetics and Epidemiology for 5 years. Later I left Europe for the United States where I worked for the New York State Department of Health. I finally arrived at UCSF in 2005.
On a personal level, I am married to my charming Cameroonian wife, who showered me with three delightful children; two daughters and a son.
CWN- You are not at UCSF by mere chance. I read that you published in the famous scientific journal Nature in 2001. Tell us about that?
Dr. Njajou- Effectively, I published in the journal Nature in July 2001 when I worked at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. This concerned the cloning of the gene for hemochromatosis that I had just discovered. It was a work of high quality and very high scientific value with Professor Cornelia van Duijn. This was highly appreciated by the international scientific community. So it was about the gene for type 4 hemochromatosis that I cloned. There has been a significant advance in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease since this discovery.
CWN- For those of us who are not familiar with this area of science, what is hemochromatosis? And what are its implications for the general public?
Dr. Njajou- Hemochromatosis is a disease related to iron overload in the body. The mutation in the gene that I cloned is responsible for this iron overload in several organs such as liver. This causes failure of multiple organs. Now we can make specific diagnoses and also apply pharmaceutical and pharmaco-genetic techniques to find appropriate medications for this disease.
CWN- Let’s talk about the event last week in Stockholm. You worked and co-authored some publications with Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn of UCSF. Please tell us more about this.
Dr. Njajou – My research with Dr. Blackburn at UCSF involved telomeres and telomerase. This research is very important for cancers because telomeres and telomerase activity in cancer cells is different compared to normal cells. The focus on our work has been in the areas of longevity and geriatrics; to determine their influence on longevity and their effects on diseases associated with aging; such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. We want to determine how shortening of telomeres affects these diseases. This will help us find markers that will enable us to detect these diseases early in humans.
CWN-What do you mean by markers?
Dr. Njajou- Markers are elements that we can measure or test in laboratories that will allow us to reach a conclusion on the presence of a disease.
CWN-How does it feel to work with the Nobel Prize winner in Medicine who also is part of the 100 most influential people of the world?
His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at the Stockholm Concert Hall, 10 December 2009. Copyright © The Nobel Foundation 2009 Photo: Frida Westholm
Dr. Njajou- It is a sense of pride and joy for me. This should be a source of pride for Cameroonians and throughout Africa, to have access to this knowledge, to enjoy this experience that I would like to share with others. It also brings a sense of responsibility and a call to action towards not only me; but many others.
Dr. Blackburn is very involved in the field of science. Research that we have carried out and published are a reference in this area and it is a great joy to see this happy ending for her.
CWN-How long have you been working with Dr. Blackburn?
Dr. Njajou- I have worked with Dr. Blackburn for four years. We have a collaborative relationship in the field of telomeres and telomerase activity in aging related disorders. We have several research topics and publications. There are other papers that are either under preparation or in-press.
CWN- You and Dr Blackburn work on the chromosomes, specifically on telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. What is it exactly?
Dr. Njajou- Telomeres are the tail ends of chromosomes.
Let’s use shoelaces as an analogy. If you look at the tips of your shoelaces; there is a protective plastic that covers the end of the lace. The telomeres are these plastic tips for the genes and telomerase is what prevents the whole chromosome from erosion. This erosion is actually related to what I said earlier regarding diseases and cancers. It is at this point that we have noticed that differences in the lengths of these tips or telomeres are directly related to disease status.
CWN- Tell us about the research on aging.
Dr. Njajou-We work on aging in many settings. We can speak of a biological aging and chronological aging. We are more focused on biological aging. We are looking at aging in relation to telomeres; we try to see how telomeres influence aging in the context of diseases or related traits associated with aging. For example, we know that some type of diabetes is associated with later age. It is true that we find these diseases in the younger population, but statistically, these diseases are more frequent in older people. Also, cardio-vascular diseases affect mostly older people, and these might be termed age-related diseases. We try to understand why and how the erosion of chromosomes end; how the lengths of telomeres and changes or mutations in these parts of chromosomes affect diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity. So we want to understand how mutations in these parts of the chromosome, or their length influence on these diseases.
CWN- How can Africa, especially Cameroon, benefit from this research? Especially those suffering from diseases cited above.
Dr. Njajou-Regarding science and benefits, everything depends on the policies put in place. There must be translation or transposition of medical discoveries. Regarding Africa, there are many factors such as health policies, states services, mentalities etc … in each country it is different. In developing countries, there are structures that study how to implement certain discoveries in the laboratories and bring them directly to patients. Africa is lagging behind compared with Western countries that have the institute of translational medicine to directly translate laboratory findings into medical practice. I think these are areas to encourage in Cameroon, and I hope we will endeavor to create these structures.
CWN-If scientific research had to be explained to children what would you say to them?
Dr. Njajou-I would say to children, let’s go back to what we study in sciences; what we learned in primary school- namely science by observation or science of observation. When a fruit falls, it raises the question why the fruit fell? Then you go from one observation to a hypothesis. We say the fruit fell because something made it happen. We assess these observations as hypotheses and we do our analysis and arrive at conclusions.
With respect to the telomeres, if we look at the tips of shoelaces and they are crumbling; ask why did they crumble? This may be the consequence of frequent contact with the element. Assess the effect of the erosion of the shoelace on the life of the shoe; or in this case we are concerned with the telomeres, the life of the cell and its effect on humans.
CWN-Do you think that Africa or specifically, Cameroon has a policy that encourages scientific research?
Dr. Njajou-I have participated in conferences in Africa and more recently, Cameroon in March 2009.There is enthusiasm for scientific research. Everyone is aware that it is research that helps us in our daily lives; whether at the level of electrical energy, gas, or microwaves. I feel a lot of enthusiasm from African governments as well as Cameroon. But policies are not in place for research to actually take place. As stated earlier, the problem is our mentality. Are we really aware that the final product of research is what we use everyday? In Universities and research centers, which are small in number in Cameroon, there is enthusiasm for research. Unfortunately, many researchers and teachers are underutilized or are unable to work. They are more like civil servants than researchers, they are idle, earning a salary and that’s enough in the eyes of the government. Those who want to work cannot afford it and when there are such means, they are diverted. Until politicians on their side implement a system and the means in place go to these researchers and teachers, Africa will always be the last and this hurts. Research in Cameroon should be encouraged and there are several ways to do this, by creating incentives into systems, structures and evaluation. I hope we will see the fruit very soon.
CWN-There are increasing cooperation between American universities and African universities in the field of research. What are the points that need emphasis?
Dr. Njajou I think in the context of cooperation and collaboration between African and Western universities, the emphasis should be placed on the transfer of technology. This transfer can be done through equipments, materials and knowledge itself. It can be done also as part of projects or collaboration, knowledge sharing and expertise. More important is the transfer of mentality, if we could copy this mentality of work ethics in western countries such as responsibility, and perseverance, I think we will be on track. I am not asking to copy the “whites” but copy the work ethics.
CWN-You are in contact with top researchers from the University of California San Francisco, including the Nobel Prize winner in Medicine with whom you have done research and publications. If you would give advice to the Minister of Research of Cameroon, what would you suggest so that research takes another dimension?
Dr. Njajou- I would say to the minister, politicians, and directors in charge of research, to establish contacts, collaborations, write proposals about viable projects and ask for funding from funding agencies. Researchers in Cameroon should look for collaborations with western universities and research centers. This will help restore bridges of trade and technical education; as well as work on the transfer of technology, expertise and equipment. Creating specialized research centers will help stimulate great exchanges between teachers that will help us invite these researchers to Cameroon for seminars and public lectures, doctoral thesis and key teachings. I think that with all this in place, we will be winners.
Having been in contact with some of the teachers here, they are ready to go teach in Cameroon and elsewhere in Africa, to sacrifice without pay. With respect to how we welcome these distinguish visitors, we are still lacking the basics, in other words, there are no incentives. If someone is willing to go teach for free, to sacrifice his/her holidays to give you knowledge and projects and in return you cannot even guarantee his or her flight ticket or a hotel room, as it’s often the case, I would say there is no stimulus policy. I would say to the minister that Cameroonians are competent in science and research and YES WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY RESEARCH IS DONE IN CAMEROON, YES WE CAN!!
CWN- Are there exchanges between you and the universities Cameroon? If so, what are the areas of this cooperation?
Dr. Njajou- I currently have private contacts with teachers from the University des Montagnes in Bangangte, the University of Yaounde and the University of Buea. Regarding specific projects, there are none yet. However, we are still at the primary stage of evaluating what we will do. You know the Cameroonian bureaucracy, even for simple projects or free services; it can take a long time. It is this bureaucracy that is delaying things in all universities with whom I have had contact. My area of expertise is education. I like teaching and do it wholeheartedly. I wish I could share my knowledge with Cameroonians, and carry out research with students. I am trying to build bridges with these universities to be able to teach, and do research, I would like to participate in seminars, develop projects and initiate research topics. I am in contact with some researchers with whom I work on scientific projects that will benefit Cameroonians.
CWN-There is increasing cooperation between traditional medicine and modern medicine in Africa. What do you think? To what extent the results of your research can be beneficial at this level?
Dr. Njajou-This is a good thing and should even be encouraged. But we must know that the 2 medicines you mentioned are complementary. In medicine, there are 3 principles, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the patient. My researches are more on diagnosis and may help doctors or healers know what they should be treating, when to refer the patient to one or the other depending on whether medical treatment may or may not be possible. Genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia are diseases that can be difficult to treat in modern medicine, but we can make use of existing knowledge to improve treatment in traditional medicine. So when the medical doctor notices that a patient has a genetic disorder and he has no alternatives, he should then inform the patient and direct him to traditional medicine if he thinks that the patient can be helped. And it should be vice versa, for the welfare of the patient; not to make money as it is the case in both modern and traditional medicines in Cameroon today.
CWN-What are your ambitions with respect to research, the Nobel Prize too?
Dr. Njajou- It’s way too early to think about the Nobel Prize. However, if I win it; it will benefit Cameroon and Africa. My personal ambition in research is to find a medical solution to sickle cell anemia and albinism which is not a disease but a genetic trait. Albinism is very prevalent in the area of Cameroon where I originate. Gene therapy could help in these cases. My plan in the near future is to return to Cameroon, to create or integrate a scientific research laboratory and to share my knowledge with Cameroonians.
CWN-What do you think about research in general?
Dr. Njajou- Research for me is a gift. You should know that researchers will always remain in the shadows. A researcher will never be like a Hollywood star.
CWN-What message do you have for young Africans and Cameroonians researchers?
Dr. Njajou To all, I will say this. I know you have to tremendous hurdles, furthermore, this is not easy; persevere, keep fighting, create projects in collaboration with Western countries, as well as other African countries, and by doing so, you will succeed.”
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CWN- Dr. Njajou you have the last word?
Dr. Njajou- I would like to tell to parents to encourage children to seek education rather than easy ways. For adults, do not get discouraged, work hard and trust God for he will do the rest. I remain at my fellow Cameroonians and Africans brothers and sisters disposal to revive our country and our continent. Finally, I would say thank you to Cameroonwebnews for giving me the opportunity to interact with Cameroonians, Africans and other researchers around the world.
To ontact Dr. Njajou, send an email to: njajou at gmail.com
Dr Njajou’s publications:
http://biochemistry.ucsf.edu/labs/blackburn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=4
References_publications_Dr.Njajou_2
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