Idowu Akinwale

Obafemi Awolowo University / Agricultural Biotechnology

Advisor: Prof. Babatunde Osho

Idowu Akinwale applies RNA-directed DNA methylation to silence the promoters of antinutrient biosynthesis genes — specifically cyanogenic glucoside pathway enzymes and phytic acid synthase — in cassava, releasing mineral bioavailability that these antinutrients currently suppress in Sub-Saharan diets where cassava is a primary calorie source. At Obafemi Awolowo University's Biotechnology department, supervised by Prof. Babatunde Osho, Idowu has designed 24-nucleotide small interfering RNA constructs that direct Argonaute-dependent cytosine methylation at the HMGR-L and InsP6K1 gene promoters in T₀ cassava plants regenerated via friable embryogenic callus transformation. Bisulphite sequencing of confirmed epigenetically modified plants shows 78–91% cytosine methylation at CpG sites in the target promoters, and ICP-OES analysis of flour from T₁ generation tubers demonstrates a 2.3-fold increase in bioaccessible iron and 1.8-fold increase in zinc compared to the unmodified parent variety. An in vitro digestion protocol validated against published Caco-2 cell iron uptake assays confirms that the mineral bioavailability gains survive cooking. Idowu's collaboration with a Gates Foundation–funded biofortification programme provides independent field trial resources across four Nigerian states.