UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES (CONAS)

ROSE JUSTUS MASALU

Senior Lecturer, College Of Natural And Applied Sciences
Education:

PhD (Biotechnology) in 2012 , MSc (Applied Microbiology) in 2004, BSc (Chemistry and Applied Microbiology) in 2002

Teaching:

Undergraduate courses

  1. BN 130: Molecular Biology
  2. BN 131: Biochemistry I
  3. BN 230: Methods in Molecular Biology
  4. BN 235: Practical in Molecular Biology
  5. BN 238: Biochemistry II
  6. BN 240: Practical In Biochemistry
  7. MC 601: Microbial Biochemistry

Postgraduate Supervision Masters and PhD.

Research:

The primary focus of her research effort has been the exploration diverse products/extracts of both terrestrial/marine fungi and plants in order to resolve societal grand challenges particularly in the human healthy and environment. Her current research interests include characterization of bioactive compounds with antiviral and anticancer potentials especially in the induction of apoptosis from both plants and fungi. Interests are in the functional genomics which include the “omics” technologies (transcriptomics, genomics and proteomics) to identify the underlying molecular basis of many common diseases including cancer and Viral diseases.

 

Projects:

  • Development of Herbals dosage formulations with Immunomodulation and Anti-Infectivity activities.
  • Screening for anticancer splicing and anti HIV-1 activity from Tanzanian medicinal plants.
  • Research on Antioxidant activities from marine fungi.
  • Research on Targeting disease-specific alternative splicing “Signature” with natural productsthat may serve as novel drugs or lead compounds. 
  • Screening for anticancer splicing and anti HIV-1 activity from Tanzanian medicinal plants. 
  • Development of Herbals dosage formulations with Immunomodulation and Anti-Infectivity activities.

Publications:

  • Japhet Josephat, Cyprian Beda Mpinda, Rose Masalu. (2023). Effect of Suregada zanzibariensis (Baill) root extract on blood sugar levels, lipid profile and pancreatic histology on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetes mellitus rats. Journal of Medicinal Herbs, Vol. 14, No. 2: 45-53.

    Rose J. Masalu and Cyprian B. Mpinda. (2024). Acute Toxicity, Immunomodulation Activities, and  Phytochemical Profiles of Sapium ellipticum Stem Bark Aqueous Extract Tanzania Journal of Health           Research.Volume 25, Number 1, January 2024.

    Sai Ngassa, Cyprian Mpinda , Kessy Kilulya, Rose Masalu. (2023). Phthalates in marine sediment, water and the cockle Anadara antiquata on the coast of Tanzania. WIO Journal  of Marine Science 22 (2) 2023 107-124.

    Sai Ngassa, Cyprian Mpinda, Kessy Kilulya and Rose Masalu. (2023). Scientific Landscape on    Phthalates Biodegradation Research: A Bibliometric and Scientometric Study. Tanzania Journal of Science 49(4): 842-858.

    Tutu Mzee, Happiness Kumburu, Theckla Kazimoto, Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon, Marco van Zwetselaar, Rose Masalu, Tarsis Mlaganile, Tolbert Sonda, Boaz Wadugu, Ignass Mushi, Frank M. Aarestrup  and Mecky Matee. (2023). Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Raw Milk and Humans in Eastern Tanzania: Genetic Diversity and Inter-Host Transmission. Journal of Microorganisms. 2023, 11, 1505. https://doi.org/10.3390/ microorganisms11061505

    Geradius Deogratiasa, Daniel M. Shadrack, Joan J.E. Munissi, Grace A. Kinunda, Fortunatus R. Jacob, Regina P. Mtei, Rose J. Masalu, Issakwisa Mwakyula, Lucy W. Kiruri, Stephen S. Nyandoro. (2022). Hydrophobic π-π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds drive self-aggregation of luteolin in water. Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling. 116:108243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108243,

    Isse I. Molobele, Rose J. Masalu, Prosper R. Mosha, and Cyprian B. Mpinda. (2022). Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity during Growth of Pleurotus HK 37 on Saba comorensis Exocarp. Tanzania Journal of Science. 48(3): 718-727. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v48i3.18.

    Jackson T. Mollel, Joanna S. Said, Rose J. Masalu, Charles Hannoun Mourice V.N. Mbunde, Ramadhani S.O. Nondo , Tomas Bergstr ̈om, Edward Trybala, (2022). Anti-respiratory yncytial virus and anti-herpes simplex virus activity of six Tanzanian medicinal plants with extended studies of Erythrina abyssinica stem bark. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 292. 115204. : www.elsevier.com/locate/jethphar.

    Tutu Mzee, Thecla Kazimoto, Joseph Madata, Rose Masalu, Marcus Bischoff, Mecky Matee and Soren L. Becker. (2021). Prevelance, Antimicrobial susceptibility and genotypic characteristics of staphylococcus aureus in Tanzania: A systematic review. Bulletin of the National Research Centre. 45: 162. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00612.

    Rose J. Masalu and Cyprian B. Mpinda. (2021). Antibacterial and Anti-HIV-1 GP120 activities of Three Medicinal Plant Species from Kagera, Tanzania (2021). Journal of Education, Humanities and Sciences, Volume 10(5): 88-98.

    Rose J. Masalu, Sai Ngassa, Grace A. Kinunda and Cyprian B. Mpinda. (2020). Antibacterial and Anti-HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants and Their Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles. Tanzania Journal of Science 46(3): 597-612, 2020.

    Fadhili M. Malesa, Margareth S. Kwewalyanga, Rose J. Masalu and Matern S. Mtolera (2021). Effects of different types of Manure on the culture of Marine plankton as a potential source of food for mariculture hatcheries. WIO Journal of Marine Science. 20(11); 81-93.

    Keno David KOWANGA, Joan John Eliona MUNISSI, Rose J. MASALU, Stephen Samwel NYANDORO, Pax MASIMBA and Erastus GATEBE (2017). Antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activities of extracts from fungal isolates of Lake Magadi. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Science.Vol, 11.No.5:pp2430-2441.

    R. J. Masalu, (2016). Ligninolytic enzymes of the fungus isolated from soil contaminated with cow dung. Tanz. J. Sci. Vol. 42. https://www.ajol.info/tjs

    R. Masalu, (2014). In vitro antioxidant activities of ascomycota fungi isolated from marine   environment, Sky Journal of Microbiology Research, 2(9):072-077. Available online http://www.skyjournals.org/SJMR

    R. Masalu, K.M.M. Hosea, S.L. Lyantagaye and B. Ndimba (2014). Glucose Regulated Protein 78 (GRP 78) as a cytoprotection against Apoptosis in Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy, 8 (2):185-191. www.abap.co.in. ISSN 0973-8916 print (2230-7303).

    ROSE MASALU, KEN MATENGO HOSEA and SYLVES MALENDEJA (2012). Free radical Scavenging activity of some fungi indigenous to Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Healthy Research 14(1): 1-8. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v14i1.6          

    Rose MASALU, Ken M. HOSEA, Mervin MEYER, Sylvester LYANTAGAYE and Stonard KANYANDA, (2010). Induction of early apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by Tanzanian basidiomycete C. miomboensis. Int. J. Biol.chem. sci 4(4): 825-833. Available online at http://ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs

    Mtui, G and R. Masalu (2008). Extracellular Enzymes by brown-rot Fungus Laetiporus sulphureus from mangrove forests of Coastal Tanzania. SRE 3 (4) pp. 154-161. Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE

    Mtui, G.Y.S, A.K. Kivaisi and R. Masalu (2003). Production of lignin-degrading enzymes from native Tanzanian Mushrooms. Proc. 2nd Intl. Conf. Med. Mushrooms. Pattaya. Thailand. 17-18 July, 2003. P. 163-169.

  • Rose J. Masalu*, Sai Ngassa, Grace A. Kinunda and Cyprian B. Mpinda (2020). Antibacterial and Anti-HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants and Their Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.
  • Keno David KOWANGA, Joan John Eliona MUNISSI, Rose J. MASALU, Stephen Samwel NYANDORO, Pax MASIMBA and Erastus GATEBE (2017). Antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activities of extracts from fungal isolates of Lake Magadi. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Science.Vol, 11.No.5:pp2430-2441. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs
  • R. J. Masalu, (2016). Ligninolytic enzymes of the fungus isolated from soil contaminated with cow dung. Tanz. J. Sci. Vol. 42. https://www.ajol.info/tjs
  • R. Masalu, (2014). In vitro antioxidant activities of ascomycota fungi isolated from marine   environment, Sky Journal of Microbiology Research, 2(9):072-077. Available online http://www.skyjournals.org/SJMR
  • R. Masalu, K.M.M. Hosea, S.L. Lyantagaye and B. Ndimba (2014). Glucose Regulated Protein 78 (GRP 78) as a cytoprotection against Apoptosis in Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy, 8 (2):185-191. www.abap.co.in. ISSN 0973-8916 print (2230-7303).
  • ROSE MASALU, KEN MATENGO HOSEA and SYLVES MALENDEJA (2011). Free radical Scavenging activity of some fungi indigenous to Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Healthy Research 14(1): 1-8. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v14i1.6      
  • Rose MASALU, Ken M. HOSEA, Mervin MEYER , Sylvester LYANTAGAYE  and  Stonard KANYANDA, (2010). Induction of early apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by Tanzanian basidiomycete C. miomboensis. Int. J. Biol.chem. sci 4(4): 825-833. Available online at http://ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs
  • Mtui, G and R. Masalu (2008). Extracellular Enzymes by brown-rot Fungus Laetiporus sulphureus from mangrove forests of Coastal Tanzania. SRE 3 (4) pp. 154-161. Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE
  • Mtui, G.Y.S, A.K. Kivaisi and R. Masalu (2003). Production of lignin-degrading enzymes from native Tanzanian Mushrooms. Proc. 2nd Intl. Conf. Med. Mushrooms. Pattaya. Thailand. 17-18 July, 2003. P. 163-169.

Grants awarded:  

Third world organisation for women in sciences, PhD scholarship.

Western Indian Ocean Marine Organisation (MARG 1) research grants. 

Bilaterally programme TZ-RSA Costech/NRF research grants. 

University of Dar es Salaam 1st Competitive Research and Innovation Grants 

University of Dar es Salaam 3rd Competitive Research and Innovation Grants.

Membership.

Western Indian Ocean Marine Organisation.

Third World Organisation for women in Sciences