Last Updated on January 19, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

… Establishes BioSim Lab, a Virtual Biotechnology Platform Empowering Students Across Resource-Limited Settings

By Olasunkanmi Olajide

Mr. Hammed Tukur, a PhD student in Molecular Biosciences at the Newcastle University, United Kingdom and Founder of BioSim Lab, has translated his academic experience at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), into a global innovation aimed at transforming molecular biology training across Africa.

While studying at the Nimbe Adedipe Library, FUNAAB, Mr. Tukur encountered a quote in a biotechnology textbook that would shape his career trajectory: “Our knowledge of all things biological will remain incomplete until the molecular basis of every living process is made clear.” What began as an academic reflection later became a guiding principle, inspiring his journey across three continents and culminating in the establishment of BioSim Lab.

Mr. Tukur graduated from FUNAAB with First-Class Honours in Animal Breeding and Genetics (ABG), at the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), where he was mentored by distinguished scholars including Prof. Martha Bemji, Prof. Ayotunde Adebambo, Prof. Michael Ozoje, and Dr. Akinyanju Lawal.
His curiosity about declining fertility in high-yield dairy cattle drew him towards molecular reproductive biology.

He later secured a fully funded MSc scholarship at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, where he conducted in-vitro oocyte maturation research in Arabian camels and gained extensive experience in reproductive, stem cell, and molecular biology.

He completed his MSc with First Class Honours, while authoring 10 publications. His research journey continued in Europe as a Research Assistant at the University of South Bohemia, Czechia, studying early mammalian development.

In 2022, Mr. Tukur earned a UKRI–BBSRC fully funded PhD at Newcastle University, United Kingdom, where his research focuses on cell cycle regulation and aneuploidy during meiosis, with implications for female infertility and IVF failure. He also supervises undergraduate biomedical science projects and coordinates laboratory demonstrations.

Earlier in the year, Mr. Tukur founded and launched BioSim Lab, a free, mobile- and web-based virtual biotechnology laboratory that enables students to practise molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and advanced imaging without physical equipment. The platform allows users to learn through repeated practice, build confidence, and avoid costly experimental errors.

BioSim Lab attracted over 320 users within days, highlighting the demand for accessible molecular biology training. Optimised for resource-limited settings, the platform runs on any device and includes simulations relevant to African research challenges, including antimicrobial resistance.

Through BioSim Lab, Mr. Tukur continues to advance his belief that access to equipment should not determine who gets to understand life at the molecular level, reflecting the innovative spirit nurtured during his time at FUNAAB.