About

I am a lecturer in Biomedical Sciences specialising in cell death regulation and cancer therapy. Since 2012, I have worked in various higher education settings, contributing to both teaching and research. I have had the privilege of teaching biochemistry and cancer biology to diverse cohorts including medical, dental, and health sciences students at several institutions. As a biochemist and cancer biologist, I have led numerous research projects that explore effective approaches to modulating cell death in various disease conditions e.g diaetes, aging , cancer etc. These projects aim to elucidate the role of regulatory proteins in cell death pathways, enhancing our understanding of disease causation and strategic targeting.

Additionally, my research investigates natural compounds capable of modulating pathways involving  identified therapeutic targets, thereby offering potential new avenues for treatment. Alongside my research, I am committed to high-quality teaching, student mentorship, and collaborative interdisciplinary research.

Teaching responsibilities

• Deliver lectures and laboratory-based teaching across biomedical science and related disciplines, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects within biomedical science, fostering independent inquiry, scientific reasoning, and critical evaluation of experimental data. I am committed to providing academic guidance, mentorship, and holistic student support to promote both academic success and personal development.
• Contribute to curriculum development, module leadership, and the continuous enhancement of teaching and learning practices to ensure alignment with current advances in biomedical science and healthcare.
• Dedicated to delivering high-quality, inclusive education that empowers students to think critically, engage in independent learning, and apply biomedical knowledge to address real-world health and research challenges.

Professional interests

My research interests centre on cancer biology, molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease, and translational biomedical research, with a focus on signalling pathways, metabolism, autophagy, ferroptosis, and therapeutic responses. I am particularly interested in identifying novel therapeutic targets and advancing collaborative research that connects basic science with clinical applications.

Research interests

My research spans cancer biology, mitochondrial biochemistry, and toxicology, unified by a central focus on how metabolic and signalling disruptions regulate cell death pathways and contribute to disease. Her work investigates both the therapeutic potential of targeting these pathways and the risks posed by agents that disrupt them. I’m paerticularly  interested in how different cell death pathways might cross-talk with each other, and how this knowledge could be used to develop new therpaeutic  strategies in dysregulated cell death.

My doctoral research explored the therapeutic manipulation of mitochondrial-mediated cell death for the treatment of cancer using naturally occurring bioactive agents isolated from Calliandra portoricensis. This study proposed the first molecular mechanism by which bioactive agents from this plant induce apoptotic cell death in prostate cancer cell lines. My postdoctoral training at the University of Tübingen in Germany expanded this research to explore additional cell death pathways mediated by bioactive compounds purified from this plant.

Currently, I am passionate about and engaged in projects that utilize non-pharmacological interventions, specifically Branched Chain Amino Acids, to investigate the mechanisms of ferroptosis sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). My goal is to uncover novel therapeutic targets and metabolic signatures that can lead to more effective treatment strategies for TNBC.

Membership of professional bodies

• European Association of Cancer Research (Member)
• Biochemical Society (Member)

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria)
• Master of Science (Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria)
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Biochemistry, Federal University of Abeokuta, Nigeria)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Recent conferences

• 14^th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC): Research and Innovation in the Multidisciplinary Management of Breast Cancer (20-22 Mar, 2024). Olubukola T. Oyebode, Jonathon Hull, Myra Conway: BCATc regulates ferroptosis in Triple negative breast cancer cells (Poster)
• Biomedical and Clinical Science Research Showcase, University of Derby, UK  (17 Jan, 2024) Olubukola T. Oyebode, Jonathon Hull, Myra Conway: BCATc contributes to ferroptosis in Triple negative breast cancer cells (Best poster prize)
• European Association for Cancer Research Conference. The invisible phase of metastasis (6-7 December 2022). Oyebode O.T, Ana Garcia-Saez, Lohans Pedrera^. Molecular targets of Calliandra portoricensis root bark in cancer cells. (Poster)
• Seventh Unibadan Conference of Biomedical Research, (UCBR) University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria (September 15 -17, 2021). Theme: Dynamism in Biomedical Sciences and Research 
• Oyebode, O.T., Abolaji, A.O., Faleke H.F., and Olorunsogo, O. O. Methanol fraction of Ficus mucoso inhibits iron-induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster (Oral)
• Bello, I. J., Oyebode, O.T., Olanlokun, J.O., Omodara T.O and Olorunsogo, O. O. Plumbagin induces testicular damage via mitochondrial-dependent cell death (Oral)
• Vining-Ogu, I.C., Oyebode, O.T., Olanlokun J.O and Olorunsogo, O.O. Ethyl acetate fractions of Euphorbia hirta leaves modulate lipopolysaccharide induced inflammatory responses in mice. (Oral)
• EMBO/FEBS Lecture Course. Mitochondria in life, death and disease, Herceg Novi, Montenegro (September 24-28, 2019). Oyebode, O.T., Giwa, O.D and Olorunsogo O. O. Mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in liver but not in testis of galactose-induced aging rats (Poster)
• Droso-Africa ICGEB workshop on Drosophila melanogaster in Biomedical Research and First Scientific Conference of African Society of Drosophilists, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. (September 17-19, 2019).  Oyebode, O.T., Oluwadare, J., Adedara A., Abolaji, A and Olorunsogo O. Apigenin ameliorates D-galactose-induced aging via antioxidative activity and inhibition of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in Drosophila melanogaster (Oral)
• Twenty-fifth Biennial Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) Amsterdam, Netherlands( 30 June – 3 July,2018)  Oyebode, O.T., Owumi, S.E., Oyelere, O.A. and Olorunsogo, O.O.  Partially Purified Methanol Fraction of Calliandra portoricensis induces Apoptosis and Growth Arrest in Prostatic Tumour Cell Lines (Poster)
• Sixth Unibadan Conference of Biomedical Research, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. (July 10– 14, 2018).  Oyebode O.T., Adebiyi, O. R. and Olorunsogo, O.O. Toxicity of Amoxycillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin) and Ciprofloxacin in normal rat liver: The role of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore (Oral)
• Fifth Unibadan Conference of Biomedical Research, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria (July 13 – 15, 2016)  Oyebode, O.T., Owaboye, W.R., Akinbisoye, O.F and Olorunsogo, O.O. Evaluation of the effects of fractions of Jatropha curcas (Linn) leaves on mitochondrial permeability transition in rat liver (Oral)
• 21st ECDO Euroconference on Apoptosis  at Institut Pasteur, Paris (September 25‐28, 2013).  Oyebode, O.T, Odejide T.T., Kukoyi A.J., and Olorunsogo O. O. Effects of different fractions of methanol extract of the root bark of Calliandra portoricensis on rat liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore and ATPase activity (Poster)

International experience

• I had a short postdoctoral experience sponsored by the TWAS-DFG Co-operation Visit Programme for Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa as Visiting Scientist at Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry (IFIB) Universität Tübingen , Tübingen, Germany (2019)
• Part of my Ph.D research was conducted as a  Short-term Scholar at Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, USA sponsored by  University of Ibadan Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) under its Academic Staff training and Development (AST&D) Intervention(2015-2016)

Additional interests and activities

• Presently contributing to a collaborative research on exploring lipid‑related signatures in brain dysfunction and their potential therapeutic relevance in Alzheimer’s disease funded by the University of Derby VC Research Growth Award.

Recent publications

• Opeyemi Stella Ademowo, Olubukola Oyebode, Roshita Edward, Myra E. Conway, Helen R. Griffiths, Irundika H.K. Dias; Effects of carotenoids on mitochondrial dysfunction. Biochem Soc Trans28 February 2024; 52 (1): 65–74. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20230193
• Oyebode, O.T., Bello, I.J., Danisa J., Faleke H., and Olorunsogo, O. (2023). Protective role of vitamin E on plumbagin-induced hepatotoxicity and mitochondrial injury in mice. Comp Clin Pathol https:/doi.org/10.1007/s00580-023-03441-w
• Olowofolahan AO, Akinjiola O, Olanlokun JO , Oyebode OT , Aina OO ,Olorunsogo OO (2023). Chloroform Fraction of Drymaria cordata Linn (CFDC) Suppresses Estradiol Benzoate- Induced Endometrial Hyperplasia.Anti-cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, DOI: 10.2174/1871520623666230209144428
• Olanlokun JO, Oyebode OT, Popoola D, Bodede O, Idowu TO, Moodley R, Olorunsogo OO. (2022) In vitro effects of 2-methyl-3-propylbutane-1,4-diol purified from Alstonia boonei on erythrocyte membrane stabilization and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Chem Biol Drug Des. https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.14168
• Oyebode, O.T., Abolaji, A.O., Faleke H.F., and Olorunsogo, O. O. (2021). Methanol fraction of Ficus mucoso inhibits iron-induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster. Drug and Chemical Toxicology 45 (6), 2644-2652. https://doi.org/10.1080/01480545.2021.1979997
• Oyebode, O.T., Olanlokun, J.O., Salami, O., Obi I., Bodede, O., Prinsloo, G and Olorunsogo, O. O (2021). Terpene-rich fractions of Ficus mucoso (Welw) modulate lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mediators and aberrant permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane in murine animal model. Inflammopharmacology. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s10787-021-00876-x
• Bello, I. J., Oyebode, O.T., Olanlokun, J.O., Omodara T.O and Olorunsogo, O. O. (2021). Plumbagin induces testicular damage via mitochondrial-dependent cell death. Chemico-Biological Interactions 7: 109-15.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109582
• Oyebode, O.T., Olowofolahan A.O., Olorunsogo, O. O. (2021) Toxic effects of unripe Carica papaya (Linn) fruit extract on Healthy rat liver mitochondria. Traditional and Integrative Medicine 6. No.  2: 126-137.https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v6i2.6789
• Olowofolahan O., Oyebode O.T. and Olorunsogo O.O. (2020) Methyl palmitate reversed estradiol benzoate-induced endometrial hyperplasia in female rats. Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2020.1827329
• Oyebode, O.T., Giwa, O. D. and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2020). Comparative effects of galactose-induced aging on mitochondrial permeability transition in rat liver and testis. Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2020.1755921
• Oyebode, O.T., Abolaji, A.O., Oluwadare, J.O., Adedara A. O and Olorunsogo, O. O. (2020). Apigenin ameliorates D-galactose-induced lifespan shortening effects via antioxidative activity and inhibition of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in Drosophila melanogaster. Journal of Functional Foods Vol 69: 103957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2020.103957
• Oyebode, O.T., Obiekwe, M. and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2020). Protective effects of Alpha stone, a poly-herbal formulation, on Monosodium glutamate-induced uterine hyperplasia in female Wistar rats: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. Vol 11: 217-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2019.05.001
• Oyebode, O.T., Owumi, S.E., Oyelere, A.K., and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2019). Calliandra portoricensis Benth exhibits anticancer effects via alteration of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and growth arrest in prostate LNCaP cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology Vol 233: 64-72.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.12.020. PMID: 30580026
• Oyebode, O.T., Adebiyi, R., and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2019). Toxicity of some broad spectrum antibacterials in rat liver: The role of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore. Toxicological Mechanisms and Methods. Vol 1: 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2018.1528651
• Oyebode, O.T., Ogunbiyi, F.O. and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2019). Opening of liver mitochondrial permeability transition pore in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its inhibition by methanol fraction of Ficus mucuso (Welw) root bark. Journal of Integrative Medicine. Vol 17: 446-454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2019.10.001
• Oyebode, O.T., Akinyelu, J.O., Oamen, E.O and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2018). Methanol fraction of Calliandra portoricensis root bark activates caspases via alteration in mitochondrial viability in vivo. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology Vol 7. No. 4: 251-258. https://doi.org/15171/jhp.2018.38
• Oyebode, O.T., Akinbusuyi, O.T., Akintimehin, S.E. and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2017). Modulation of cytochrome C release and opening of the mitochondrial Permeability Transition pore by Calliandra portoricensis (Benth) Root Bark Methanol Extract. European Journal of Medicinal Plants 20. No. 1: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.9734/EJMP/2017/35211
• Oyebode, O.T., Owaboye, W.R., Akinbisoye, O.F. and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2017). Evaluation of the effects of fractions of Jatropha curcas (Linn) leaves on mitochondrial permeability transition in rat liver. Annual Research & Review in Biology 16. No. 2: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.9734/arrb/2017/35882
• Adaramoye, O., Erguen, B., Oyebode, O., Nitzsche, B., Hopfner, M., Jung, K. and Rabien, A. 2015). Antioxidant, Antiangiogenic and Antiproliferative Activities of Root Methanol Extract of Calliandra portoricensis in Human Prostate Cancer Cells. Journal of Integrative Medicine 13. No 3: 185-193.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60175-3.
• Oyebode, O.T., Odejide, T.T., Kukoyi, A.J., Adebisi, L.A. and Olorunsogo, O.O. (2012). Effects of Different Fractions of Calliandra portoricensis Root Bark on Isolated Rat Liver Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability Transition Pore. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences 2. No. 41: 399-409. PMID: 23672105. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23672105