Professor Advocates Multidisciplinary Research for Environmental Sustainability at UNILAG Lecture

Professor Rasheed Adeleke, a distinguished scholar from North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa, has called for a multidisciplinary approach to enhance the impact of research outcomes. He made this appeal during the latest Faculty of Science Guest Lecture Series at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he spoke on Endophytes and Chemical Ecology of Plants: Pathways to Environmental Sustainability.

In his lecture, Professor Adeleke highlighted the role of mutualistic plant-microbe interactions and filters such as abiotic, host-imposed, and microbial species in the assembly of endophytes. He defined endophytes as bacteria and fungi residing within plant tissues without causing disease, emphasizing their contributions to soil fertility and the production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants.

The professor also delved into the chemical ecology of plants, focusing on allelochemicals that mediate interactions between organisms and their environment. Drawing from his research, he shared insights on the metabolomic profiling of two Aloe species (Aloe lettyae and A. longibracteata), which revealed diverse metabolites. He identified specific endophytic bacteria, such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and B. licheniformis, that promote metabolite production in Artemisia afra, a medicinal plant used in malaria treatment.

Professor Adeleke aligned his research findings with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). His message echoed sentiments expressed by the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Olayinka Asekun, who underscored the importance of sustainability in his opening remarks.

The lecture underscored the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration in advancing solutions to global challenges, particularly in environmental sustainability and health.