Sofia Ali

Dr. Sofia Ali


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 May 2025 in Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MEMayada M. Elfadil
Mayada M. Elfadil
SSSamah Omer A. Samhoon
Samah Omer A. Samhoon
MSMoaaz M. Saadaldin
Moaaz M. Saadaldin
SISabah A.E. Ibrahim
Sabah A.E. Ibrahim
AMAhmed Abdelghyoum M. Mohamed
Ahmed Abdelghyoum M. Mohamed
QAQurashi. M. Ali
Qurashi. M. Ali
Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), a Gram-negative pathogen, is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections in Sudan and worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains has severely limited treatment options, underscoring the urgent need for an effective vaccine. In this study, we employed reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatics to design a novel multi-epitope vaccine targeting the hypervirulent NUBRI-K strain. Two conserved, non-host homologous iron acquisition proteins, IucA/IucC and FyuA, were prioritized as targets. The vaccine construct integrates six B-cell, six cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), and six helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, linked by optimized spacers and fused to a β-defensin adjuvant. Computational analyses confirmed strong antigenicity (1.0429), non-allergenicity, and favorable solubility (0.477). Molecular docking revealed high-affinity binding to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) (-278.22 kcal/mol), stabilized by eight hydrogen bonds and two salt bridges. Structural validation showed that 91 % of residues were located in favored regions of the Ramachandran plot. Additionally, CABSflex 2.0 dynamics analysis confirmed stable vaccine-TLR4 interactions, with minimal residue-level fluctuations (RMSF <1.5 Å), indicating conformational stability of the complex. In silico immune simulations predicted potent humoral and cellular responses, including elevated IgG/IgM titers, T-cell proliferation, and IFN-γ secretion. The construct was further optimized for mammalian expression, achieving an ideal GC content (48.27 %) and a codon adaptation index (CAI) of 1.0, facilitating efficient in silico cloning into the pcDNA3 vector. By targeting conserved iron acquisition systems, this vaccine candidate presents a promising strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant K. pneumoniae while minimizing selective pressure. Future in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to validate its immunogenicity and protective efficacy.

1 January 2019 in Evolutionary Bioinformatics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SASofia Ali
Sofia Ali
TATalal A Adlan
Talal A Adlan
NKNagla A Khalafalla
Nagla A Khalafalla
NANusiba I Abdalla
Nusiba I Abdalla
ZAZainab Sa Ali
Zainab Sa Ali
MEMohammed-Ahmed B Elnour
Mohammed-Ahmed B Elnour
Whole genome sequencing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain isolated from Sudan has led to a great deal of information, which allows the identification and characterization of some pivotal proteins. The objective of this study was to investigate the penicillin-binding proteins, PBP and PBP2a, of SO-1977 strain to have insights about their physicochemical properties and to assess and describe the interaction of some phytochemicals against them in silico. PBP and PBP2a from MRSA’s Sudan strain were found to be of great resemblance with some other strains. G246E single-nucleotide polymorphism was reported and identified in the allosteric binding site positioned in the non-penicillin-binding domain. The docked compounds demonstrated good binding energies and hydrogen bond interactions with residue Ser404 which plays crucial roles in β-lactam activity. This finding would contribute significantly to designing effective β-lactam drugs, to combat and treat β-lactam–resistant bacteria in the future.

21 May 2025 in BMC Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
NINesreen A. A. Ibrahim
Nesreen A. A. Ibrahim
HSHumodi A. Saeed
Humodi A. Saeed
SSSamar M. Saeed
Samar M. Saeed
OMOsama Mohamed
Osama Mohamed
OSOmnia H. Suliman
Omnia H. Suliman
SASofia Ali
Sofia Ali
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, particularly in Sudan, where the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have driven the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Conventional antimicrobial strategies often fall short due to rapid resistance development and limited efficacy, highlighting the need for novel approaches. Nanotechnology offers promising alternatives, with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) demonstrating potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This study aims to develop an eco-friendly synthesis of AgNPs using Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis), an untapped yeast strain isolated from Sudanese soil, to combat AMR. Results: Biosynthesis of AgNPs using C. parapsilosis was successfully confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), revealing well-defined nanoparticles. The biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both ATCC reference strains and MDR clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones increasing in a concentration-dependent manner. At optimal concentrations, inhibition zones reached 29 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) (ATCC 27853), while clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) (24.5 ± 0.58 mm) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (23.8 ± 0.79 mm) exhibited significant susceptibility. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays demonstrated potent bactericidal activity, particularly against E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) at 0.3125 mg/mL. Furthermore, AgNPs synergistically enhanced the efficacy of conventional antibiotics in a species- and antibiotic-dependent manner. The strongest synergy was observed in Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (up to 9.84-fold with Colistin) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) (up to 5.11-fold with Ceftazidime), suggesting that AgNP-enhanced antibiotic efficacy varies depending on bacterial species, nanoparticle synthesis method, and antibiotic type. Conclusions: This study presents a novel and sustainable approach to tackling AMR by leveraging Sudanese yeast strains for the green synthesis of AgNPs. The findings underscore the potential of AgNPs as an effective antibacterial agent, both independently and in combination with conventional antibiotics, to combat MDR pathogens. By integrating microbiology and nanotechnology, this research offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for AMR mitigation. These findings provide a strong foundation for future clinical applications and public health interventions, particularly in resource-limited settings.

11 June 2019 in BMC Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SASofia Ali
Sofia Ali
NINurulfiza M. Isa
Nurulfiza M. Isa
FAFaisal M. Abedelrhman
Faisal M. Abedelrhman
TATahani Alyas
Tahani Alyas
SMSara E. Mohammed
Sara E. Mohammed
SASofia Ali
Sofia Ali
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Investigation of the MRSA’s virulence and resistance mechanisms is a continuing concern toward controlling such burdens through using high throughput whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and molecular diagnostic assays. The objective of the present study is to perform whole-genome sequencing of MRSA isolated from Sudan using Illumina Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform. The genome of MRSA strain SO-1977 consists of 2,827,644 bp with 32.8% G + C, 59 RNAs and 2629 predicted coding sequences (CDSs). The genome has 26 systems, one of which is the major class in the disease virulence and defence. A total of 83 genes were annotated to virulence disease and defence category some of these genes coding as functional proteins. Based on genome analysis, it is speculated that the SO-1977 strain has resistant genes to Teicoplanin, Fluoroquinolones, Quinolone, Cephamycins, Tetracycline, Acriflavin and Carbapenems. The results revealed that the SO-1977, strain isolated from Sudan has a wide range of antibiotic resistance compared to related strains. The study reports for the first time the whole genome sequence of Sudan MRSA isolates. The release of the genome sequence of the strain SO-1977 will avail MRSA in public databases for further investigations on the evolution of resistant mechanism and dissemination of the -resistant genes of MRSA.

10 July 2016 in Advances in Bioinformatics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MMMohamed Hassan Mohamed
Mohamed Hassan Mohamed
SOShaza E. Omer
Shaza E. Omer
RKRahma M. Khalf-Allah
Rahma M. Khalf-Allah
RMRazaz Y. Mustafa
Razaz Y. Mustafa
SASofia Ali
Sofia Ali
SMSofia B. Mohamed
Sofia B. Mohamed
This study was carried out for Homo sapiens single variation (SNPs/Indels) in BRAF gene through coding/non-coding regions. Variants data was obtained from database of SNP even last update of November, 2015. Many bioinformatics tools were used to identify functional SNPs and indels in proteins functions, structures and expressions. Results shown, for coding polymorphisms, 111 SNPs predicted as highly damaging and six other were less. For UTRs, showed five SNPs and one indel were altered in micro RNAs binding sites (3′ UTR), furthermore nil SNP or indel have functional altered in transcription factor binding sites (5′ UTR). In addition for 5′/3′ splice sites, analysis showed that one SNP within 5′ splice site and one Indel in 3′ splice site showed potential alteration of splicing. In conclude these previous functional identified SNPs and indels could lead to gene alteration, which may be directly or indirectly contribute to the occurrence of many diseases.

8 August 2019 in Microbiology Resource Announcements
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SASofia Ali
Sofia Ali
MHMohamed Hassan
Mohamed Hassan
AMAbdalla Munir
Abdalla Munir
SKSumaya Kambal
Sumaya Kambal
NANusiba I. Abdalla
Nusiba I. Abdalla
Mushal AllamMushal Allam
Mushal Allam
Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important pathogen leading to multiple nosocomial outbreaks. Here, we describe the genomic sequence of a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii sequence type 164 (ST164) isolate from a hospital patient in Sudan. To our knowledge, this is the first reported draft genome of an A. baumannii strain isolated from Sudan.