Joan Mutanyatta-Comar
Principal Senior Lecturer; Undergraduate Co-Director Chemistry- Education
B. Sc. (1997): University of Botswana
Ph.D (2003): University of Botswana & University of Wuerzburg, Germany
Postdoctoral Fellowship (2003-2006): University of Wuerzburg, Germany
- Specializations
Organic Chemistry
- Biography
Research Interest:
My research interests aim at investigating various local medicinal plants with a strong folkloric history of medicinal uses. This involves scanning plant extracts for antimicrobial activity targeting the most troublesome nosocomial opportunistic infectious agents referred to as “ESKAPE” pathogens. These organisms include: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species, and represent the most 3 prominent causes of hospital-acquired infections today. I work in collaboration with Dr. Pascoe (Chemistry) and Dr. Nagy (Biology).
- Publications
Representative Publications
- Bringmann, G., Mutanyatta-Comar, J., Knauer, M., Abegaz, B. M. Knipholone and related 4-phenylanthraquinones: structurally, pharmacologically, and biosynthetically remarkable natural products. Natural Product Reports, 2008, 25, 696-718.
- Bringmann, G., Mutanyatta-Comar, J., Maksimenka, K., Wanjohi, J. M., Heydenreich, M., Brun, R., Müller, W. E. G., Peter, M. G., Midiwo, J. O., Yenesew, A. Joziknipholones A-C: the first, axially chiral dimeric phenylanthraquinones from the roots of Bulbine frutescens. Chemistry: A European Journal, 2008, 14, 1420-1429.
- Ngamga, D., Bipa, J.; Lebatha, P., Hiza, C., Mutanyatta, J., Bezabih, M., Tane, P., Abegaz, B. M. Isoquinoline alkaloids and homoisoflavonoids from Drimiopsis barterii Bak and Drimiopsis burkei Bak. Natural Product Communications, 2008, 3, 769-777.
- Bringmann, G., Mutanyatta-Comar, J., Greb, M., Rüdenauer, S., Noll, T. F., Irmer, A. Biosynthesis of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids: synthesis and incorporation of an advanced 13C2-labeled isoquinoline precursor. Tetrahedron, 2007, 63, 1755-1761.
- Abegaz, B. M., Mutanyatta-Comar, J., Nindi, M., Naturally occurring homoisoflavonoids: phytochemistry, biological activities and synthesis. Natural Product Communications, 2007, 2, 475-498.