Dr Saheed Benson (Yomi) is a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and a member of Liverpool John Moores University's Centre for Natural Products Discovery (CNPD). Yomi’s research uses a variety of cell culture and molecular biology techniques to investigate and characterize programmed cell deaths such as apoptosis and parthanatos, with the aim of developing novel therapeutics, particularly natural products, for targeted cancer therapy or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease.
Languages
English
Degrees
2023, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PhD, Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery
2014, Edge Hill University, United Kingdom, PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate In Education) with QTS
2006, Northumbria University, United Kingdom, MRes (Master of Research), Biotechnology with Distinction
2003, Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria, BSc, Biochemistry (First Class Honours)
Certifications
2024, Department for Education, United Kingdom, Data Analytic
2023, BioGrad Education and Diagnostics, United Kingdom, Practical Laboratory Skills, Microbiology and Biotechnology
2022, The Biochemical Society, United Kingdom, Practical Python for beginners: a biochemist's guide
2019, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, 3is – Information, Ideas & Insights
Journal article
Paca AM, Benson SO, Fatokun AA, Ajibade PA. 2023. Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and anticancer potential studies of organoruthenium(II) arene dithiocarbamate complexes Journal of Sulfur Chemistry, :1-12 DOI Publisher Url
Thesis/Dissertation
Benson S. 2023. Identification and characterisation of novel, natural product inhibitors of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme for anti-cancer and other therapeutic applications Fatokun AA, Ismail FMD. Public Url
Poster
Benson SO, Ismail FMD, Fatokun AA. 2021. 4′-methoxyflavone (4MF) and 3′,4′-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) directly bind to the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme to inhibit parthanatos British Pharmacological Society (BPS) Conference (Pharmacology 2021). 7-9 September, 2021. Online. Author Url
Benson SO, Ismail FMD, Fatokun AA. 2019. PARPi-FL, a fluorescent version of the PARP inhibitor olaparib, exhibits decreased potency but similar efficacy compared to olaparib in a cell-based assay British Pharmacological Society's Annual Meeting, Pharmacology 2019, 15-17 December 2019, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, UK (poster was additionally competitively invited for a flash presentation (British Journal of Pharmacology 2020: 47-48)). DOI: 10.1111/bph.15035 Author Url
Other Professional Activity:
Manuscript peer reviewer, Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2023
Conference presentation:
A cell-based neuroprotection assay targeting poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) reveals oncology-based potency ranking of clinically used PARP inhibitors, ELRIG Drug Discovery Conference 2021, The Exhibition Centre, ACC, Liverpool, UK, Poster presentation. 2021
4′-methoxyflavone (4MF) and 3′,4′-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) directly bind to the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme to inhibit parthanatos, British Pharmacological Society Conference, Pharmacology 2021, Online, Poster presentation. 2021
PARPi-FL, a fluorescent version of the PARP inhibitor olaparib, exhibits decreased potency but similar efficacy compared to olaparib in a cell-based assay, British Pharmacological Society's Annual Meeting, Pharmacology 2019, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, UK, Oral presentation. 2020
PARP inhibitors elicit concentration-dependent protection against PARP-mediated cell death even with a delayed addition of up to 12 hours post-insult, ELRIG Drug Discovery Conference 2019, Liverpool, UK, Poster presentation. 2019
Cell-based optimisation of a novel, fluorescent PARP inhibitor for therapeutics development, Faculty of Science Research Day, Liverpool John Moores University, UK, Poster presentation. 2019
Membership of professional bodies:
Member, The Biochemical Society (UK), https://www.biochemistry.org/. 2019
Member, The Physiological Society (UK), http://www.physoc.org/. 2019