Biography

Currently, I am working at Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute (EBTI) as director and senior researcher for health biotechnology directorate which is aimed at researching on Isolation, identification and molecular characterization of pathogenic microorganisms, development of vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceutics for animal and human pathogenic infections. Right now, I am heading the COVID-19 testing lab in our institute and testing 400 samples a day and 40,000 till to date. I am also working as Associate Professor of Virology and Vaccinology at Pan African University for Life and Earth sciences (PAULESI), University of Ibadan, Nigeria and different universities in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa University, Jimma University and University of Gondor). I supervised total of 21 M.Sc (8 PAULESI) and 5 Ph.D students. I was also working at National Veterinary Institute (NVI) of Ethiopia for 1 year on development of different viral and bacterial animal vaccines (IBD, MDV, fowl cholera, LSD and PPR). I won many national and international research grants and awards.

I have very good practical and theoretical background in cell culture techniques, excellent ability in measuring of the immune response (cellular and humoral), having very good knowledge in most of microbiology and biotechnology techniques, bioinformatics and computational biology, ability of utilizing different research equipment (conventional PCR and qRT-PCR amplifications, LAMP, FACS machine, cloning and sequencing (sanger and NGS), protein expression techniques and good knowledge of BSL-2 and 3 laboratory, Laboratory quality management systems and so on. I have more than 14 years of work experience.

My research interest is on the isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms (Bacteria, Virus, and Fungus) which affect the health of human and animals in one health approach in collaboration with different national and international research and academic institutes with ultimate goals of vaccine development. I am interested on molecular detection and characterization based on sequencing of specific genes or whole genome sequencing with the NGS. There are also strong research interest on molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of pathogenic organisms with the application of recent computational technologies and then development of vaccines and anti-microbial against the isolated and identified local pathogens. There are also active research works going on to develop diagnostic tools for the early detection of the different diseases. There is also interest and project to work on AMR by developing bacteriophages as bacteriophage therapy.

Area of Interest:

Virology

100%

Veterinary Microbiology

62%

Veterinary Public Health

90%

Veterinary Advances

75%

Immunology

55%

Research Publications in Numbers

Books
0

Chapters
2

Articles
42

Abstracts
2

Selected Publications

Workineh, D., M. Bitew, D. Oluwayelu, B. Getachew and T. Abayneh et al., 2022. Comparative safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of CEF cell-based and DF-1 cell line adapted infectious bursal disease vaccines in specific-pathogen-free chickens. J. Immunol. Res., Vol. 2022. 10.1155/2022/5392033.
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Tegally, H., J.E. San, M. Cotten, M. Moir and B. Tegomoh et al., 2022. The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance. Science, Vol. 378. 10.1126/science.abq5358.
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Selam, M.N., B.M. Habte, T. Marew, M. Bitew and T. Getachew et al., 2022. Evaluation of quality and antimicrobial efficacy of locally manufactured alcohol-based hand sanitizers marketed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the era of COVID-19. Antimicrob. Resist. Infect. Control, Vol. 11. 10.1186/s13756-022-01163-2.
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Bitew, M., G. Hailu, Y.G. Tsegay, K. Tuki and K. Asmamaw et al., 2022. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence obtained from Ethiopia. Microbiol. Resour. Announce., Vol. 11. 10.1128/mra.01182-21.
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Birhan, M., A. Syoum, S.M. Ibrahim, T. Fentahun and A. Mohammed et al., 2022. Serological evidence of infectious laryngotracheitis infection and associated risk factors in chickens in Northwestern Ethiopia. Sci. World J., Vol. 2022. 10.1155/2022/6096981.
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Araya, S., Y.G. Tsegay, A. Atlaw, M. Aragaw and G. Tadlo et al., 2022. Organ function biomarker abnormalities, associated factors and disease outcome among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Biomarkers Medi., 16: 417-426.
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Yimer, Y.M., D.A. Ali, B.G. Ayalew, M.B. Asires and E. Gelaye, 2021. Pathogenicity of field marek’s disease virus serotype-1 and vaccine efficacy test in chicken in Eastern Shewa Ethiopia. Vet. Med.: Res. Rep., 12: 347-357.
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Kebede, W., M. Bitew, F.D. Bari, B.M. Edao and H. Mohammed et al., 2021. Immunogenicity and efficacy evaluation of vero cell-adapted infectious bursal disease virus LC-75 vaccine strain. Vet. Med.: Res. Rep., 12: 261-270.
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Dessalegn, B., M. Bitew, D. Asfaw, E. Khojaly and S.M. Ibrahim et al., 2021. Gamma-irradiated fowl cholera mucosal vaccine: Potential vaccine candidate for safe and effective immunization of chicken against fowl cholera. Front. Immunol., Vol. 12. 10.3389/fimmu.2021.768820.
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Birhan, M., M. Temesgen, A. Shite, N. Berhane and M. Bitew et al., 2021. Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of infectious bonchitis virus in chicken in Northwest Ethiopia. Sci. World J., Vol. 2021. 10.1155/2021/4553890.
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Baba, M.M., M. Bitew, J. Fokam, E.A. Lelo and A. Ahidjo et al., 2021. Diagnostic performance of a colorimetric RT -LAMP for the identification of SARS-CoV-2: A multicenter prospective clinical evaluation in sub-Saharan Africa. eClinicalMedicine, Vol. 40. 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101101.
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Sokan-Adeaga, A.A., A.M. Sokan-Adeaga and E.D. Sokan-Adeaga, 2020. The environment and COVID-19 transmission: A perspective. J. Health Biol. Sci., Vol. 8. 10.12662/2317-3206jhbs.v8i1.3361.p1-6.2020.
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Wubet, W., M. Bitew, G. Mamo, E. Gelaye and L. Tesfaw et al., 2019. Evaluation of inactivated vaccine against fowl cholera developed from local isolates of Pasteurella multocida in Ethiopia. Afr. J. Microbiol. Res., 13: 500-509.
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Bitew, M., S. Nandi, C. Ravishankar and A. Sharma, 2019. Phylogenetic analysis of bluetongue virus serotype16 based on genome segment 5 (encoding NS1). Afr. J. Biotechnol., 18: 774-782.
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Bitew, M., C. Ravishankar, S. Chakravarti, G.K. Sharma and S. Nandi, 2019. Comparative evaluation of T-cell immune response to BTV infection in sheep vaccinated with pentavalent BTV vaccine when compared to un-vaccinated animals. Vet. Med. Int., 2019: 1-10.
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Tassew, A., G. Deresse, E. Gelaye, M. Bitew, K. Legesse, M. Gebru and M. Ftiwi, 2018. Molecular characterization, adaptation and attenuation of locally isolated and vaccinal strain of infectious bursal disease virus for development of vero cell-based infectious bursal disease vaccine in Ethiopia. J. Biol. Agric. Healthcare, 8: 8-22.
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Mamo, Y., M. Bitew, T. Teklemariam, M. Soma and D. Gebre et al., 2018. Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia: Seroprevalence and risk factors in Gimbo district, Southwest Ethiopia. Vet. Med. Int., Vol. 2018. 10.1155/2018/5729296.
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Abera, T., M. Bitew, D. Gebre, Y. Mamo, Y. Deneke and S. Nandi, 2018. Bluetongue disease in small ruminants in South Western Ethiopia: Cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study. BMC Res. Notes, Vol. 11. 10.1186/s13104-018-3222-z.
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Mekuriaw, A., M. Bitew, E. Gelaye, B. Mamo and G. Ayelet, 2017. Infectious bursal disease: Outbreak investigation, molecular characterization and vaccine immunogenicity trial in Ethiopia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 49: 1295-1302.
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Hailu, G., M. Bitew and M. Temesgen, 2017. Studies on antifungal effects of some plant extracts on fungal isolates of Candidia albicans and Trichophyton menthagrophytes in Jimma Town, Ethiopia. Int. J. Microbiol. Res., 8: 79-85.
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Bitew, M., S. Nandi, C. Ravishanka and A. Sharma, 2017. Humoral immune response and protective efficacy of Binary Ethylenimine (BEI) inactivated pentavalent bluetongue vaccine after challenge with homologous virus in sheep. Int. J. Virol., 13: 43-52.
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Shewatatek, G., T. Gizachew, B. Molalegne and G. Terefe, 2014. Drug sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from wound infections in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Online J. Med. Med. Sci. Res., 3: 13-18.
Begum, J., T.K. Dutta, R. Chandra, P.R. Choudhary, Z. Varte and M. Bitew, 2014. Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) and Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) from piglets and infants associated with diarrhoea in Mizoram, India. Afr. J. Biotechnol., 13: 1452-1461.
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Muhammed, W., D. Muleta, Y. Deneke, A. Gashaw and M. Bitew, 2013. Studies on occurence of Listeria monocytogenes and other species in milk and milk products in retail market of Jimma Town, Ethiopia. Asian J. Dairying Foods Res., 32: 35-39.
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Bitew, M., S. Nandi, C. Ravishankar and R. Somvanshi, 2013. Serological and molecular evidence of bluetongue in sheep and goats in Uttar Pradesh, India. Afr. J. Biotechnol., 12: 2699-2705.
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Bitew, M., N. Sukdeb and C. Ravishankar, 2013. Bluetongue: Virus proteins and recent diagnostic approaches. Afr. J. Microbiol. Res., 7: 5771-5780.
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Hussen, H., H. Chaka, Y. Deneke and M. Bitew, 2012. Gastrointestinal helminths are highly prevalent in scavenging chickens of selected districts of Eastern Shewa zone, Ethiopia. Pak. J. Biol. Sci., 15: 284-289.
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Tefera, M., G. Batu and M. Bitew, 2011. Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Sheep and Goats in and around Bedelle, South-Western Ethiopia. Internet J. Vet. Med., Vol. 8, No. 2 .
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Tefera, M., A. Worku, T. Tolosa and M. Bitew, 2011. Prevalence and risk factors for donkey babesiosis in and around Debre Zeit, Central Ethiopia. Vet. Res., 4: 56-60.
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Sori, T., J. Hussien and M. Bitew, 2011. Prevalence and susceptibility assay of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis in dairy farms of Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia. J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 10: 745-749.
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Bitew, M., Y. Made and K. Belachew, 2011. Abomasal and small intestinal nematods of small ruminants slaughtered in different restaurants in Hawassa. Vet. Res., 4: 39-44.
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Bitew, M., Y. Amide, T. Zenebe and H. Degefu, 2011. Trypanosome infection rate in Glossina pallidipes and Glossina fuscipes fuscipes in Gojeb Valley, Southwest Ethiopia. J. Global Vet., 6: 131-135.
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Bitew, M., A. Andargie, M. Bekele, S. Jenberie, G. Ayelet and E. Gelaye, 2011. Serological survey of African horse sickness in selected districts of Jimma zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 43: 1543-1547.
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Bitew, M. and S. Prasad, 2011. Study on major reproductive health problems in indigenous and cross breed cows in and around Bedelle, South West Ethiopia. J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 10: 723-727.
Ali, D. and M. Bitew, 2011. Epidemiological study of bovine trypanosmosis in Mao-Komo special district, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia. Global Vet., 6: 402-408.
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Seyoum, Z., M. Bitew, M. Teferi and E. Gelaye, 2010. Evaluation of control program of Maedi-Visna by foster feeding with cow colostrum and other measures. Global Vet., 5: 140-145.
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Bitew, M., Y. Amedie and A. Abebe, 2010. Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in selected areas of Jabi Tehenan district, West Gojjam of Amhara regional state, Northwestern Ethiopia. Global Vet., 5: 243-247.
Bitew, M., N. Ibrahim and N. Abdela, 2010. Study on the prevalence of Ovine fasciolosis in and around Dawa-Cheffa, Kemissie. Afr. J. Agric. Res., 5: 2981-2985.
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Bitew, M., A. Tafere and T. Tolosa, 2010. Study on bovine mastitis in dairy farms of Bahir Dar town and its environs. J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 9: 2912-2917.
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Bitew, M., K. Belihu, B. Gebre-Egziabher and M. Kyule, 2009. Development and efficacy trial of inactivated fowl cholera vaccine using local isolates of Pasturella multocida. Ethiopian Vet. J., 13: 75-92.