The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, is being represented and recognised in the global microbiology community at the ongoing IUMS 2026 Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, which opened on Wednesday and concludes today.

 

The world's largest Microbiology conference, organised by the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), has in attendance thousands of participants from 96 countries.

 

At this epochal event, Prof. Elijah Adegoke Adebayo, who was recently listed among the Top 2% of Scientists globally in 2026, a respected Microbiologist from the Department of Pure and Applied Biology, LAUTECH, has presented two papers on his research.

 

The first presentation proposed a biological means of water purification using bioflocculant-mediated silver nanoparticles produced by bacterial flocculants. The method is safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly, and it can serve as an alternative to conventional chemical flocculants. 

 

The second presentation proposed a potential biological solution to diabetes through inhibition of the enzymes alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase by nutraceutical products developed from Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, based on their research at LAUTECH. 

 

The presentation attracted considerable interest among participants, some of whom recommended that the institution explore engagement with a potential industry partner to facilitate the commercialisation of the products.

 

The presentation gave Prof. Adebayo an opportunity to interact with Rino Rappuoli, PhD, who is IUMS President and Congress Chair. Prof. Rappuoli is Chief Scientist and Head of External R&D at GSK Vaccines, based in Siena, Italy and Professor of Vaccines Research at Imperial College, London, United Kingdom. 

 

In 2013, Prof. Rappuoli was nominated the third most influential person worldwide in the field of vaccines (Terrapin). LAUTECH stands tall among the African universities present at the congress due to Prof. Adebayo's presentation as a Gates Foundation grantee. 

 

Prof. Adebayo expressed his appreciation to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Nigeria, for awarding the 2023 National Research Fund (NRF) grant that supported this research. 

 

He also acknowledged the management of LAUTECH for providing an enabling research environment and granting him short leave to attend the conference. 

 

He extended his sincere appreciation to his teachers and the entire research team, comprising colleagues and students, whose contributions and support made this achievement possible.