“Want to develop vaccines in Africa? Then invest in expertise and infrastructure” - Understanding biological systems is critical to the prosperity, and possibly, survival of the human race. Without it, we are threatened by disease, energy and food insecurity, pollution and climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important it is to have both national and international approaches to research and development with access to the right … Read more “Want to develop vaccines in Africa? Then invest in expertise and infrastructure” 
GCRF Funding of Synchrotron Techniques for Africa lauded as great success - Results include 80+ researchers now collaborating from multiple continents, over 50 world class papers published, and a new generation of scientists trained A virtual event, held on Monday 7 June celebrated the many successes of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) START grant and the end of the three-year £3.7M grant provided by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) in support of the Synchrotron Techniques for … Read more GCRF Funding of Synchrotron Techniques for Africa lauded as great success
Promising first steps towards an inhibitor targeting the South African HIV-1 subtype C protease (C-SA PR) - In a bid to design clinical drugs to improve health outcomes for people living with a particular strain of HIV and its mutants, scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Protein Structure-Function Research Unit (PSFRU) in South Africa have embarked on a clinical drug discovery journey with promising results. The aim of the research, which … Read more Promising first steps towards an inhibitor targeting the South African HIV-1 subtype C protease (C-SA PR)
MSc student lauded for world-class HPV research on International Women’s Day - On International Women’s Day (today – 8th March), we highlight the achievements of Melissa Marx, an MSc medical biochemistry student in the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), who is conducting ground-breaking research in the field of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) with the assistance of the GCRF START grant. HPV is the cause of most cervical cancer cases amongst women worldwide. Melissa’s research into HPV, which forms part of … Read more MSc student lauded for world-class HPV research on International Women’s Day
Did you know that globally only 30% of science researchers are female? - And why collaborating with young female scientists in Africa is reaping great results. Timed to coincide with UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 Feb, and to inspire more female students to study and work in science, the GCRF START grant has announced the results of its three year project launched … Read more Did you know that globally only 30% of science researchers are female?
In the spirit of Ubuntu: Addressing global challenges through community-led Sci-Art - We are delighted to announce that our exciting Sci-Art collaboration with The Keiskamma Trust in South Africa is well underway! In the spirit of Ubuntu [1], funded by the GCRF START grant, the collaboration involves a unique series of tapestries inspired and created by community-based artists and crafters from the Trust’s flagship Keiskamma Art Project … Read more In the spirit of Ubuntu: Addressing global challenges through community-led Sci-Art
The hunt for an HIV vaccine – unique insights from an inspiring Cohort of women in South Africa - “We have been privileged to have worked with community members who are so committed to the research that could one day realize our shared vision of a world without AIDS.” Professor Salim Abdool Karim, Director of CAPRISA, South Africa. Since HIV was found to be the cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1983, … Read more The hunt for an HIV vaccine – unique insights from an inspiring Cohort of women in South Africa
Taking energy materials to the next level - Investigating lithium-ion battery cathode materials for new generation improvements in sustainable energy solutions “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all will open a new world of opportunities for billions of people through new economic opportunities and jobs, empowered women, children and youth, better education and health, more sustainable, equitable and inclusive … Read more Taking energy materials to the next level
Focus on fungal oxidoreductases for infectious disease drug targets - “The atomic structure of proteins provides an intimate insight into these magnificent macromolecules. This knowledge is crucial to truly understand how they function; whether it is to answer a burning question or to manipulate them – either to enhance if their reactions are desirable, or to inhibit if they are harmful.” Prof. Dirk Opperman, University … Read more Focus on fungal oxidoreductases for infectious disease drug targets
New generation solutions to Neglected Tropical Diseases and Nosocomial ESKAPE Infections - “Africa is a bank when it comes to diseases. The beauty of the GCRF START grant is that it offers us the opportunity to deal with these challenges in Africa, while enabling international collaboration and access to amazing synchrotron facilities with world class results.” Dr Ikechukwu Anthony Achilonu, Protein Structure-Function Research Unit (PSFRU), University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD’s) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are major challenges threatening the world’s sustainability and development efforts across the spectrum of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, causing millions of … Read more New generation solutions to Neglected Tropical Diseases and Nosocomial ESKAPE Infections
SA women take the lead in structural biology - A team of researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Free State (UFS) has achieved a remarkable feat in the field of structural biology by determining the structure of an enzyme that could be a key component in producing valuable commodity chemicals in greener, sustainable processes. Known as cytochrome P450 … Read more SA women take the lead in structural biology
Sharing solar cell research - Together as a society we face many challenges in improving our society in a sustainable way. One such challenge is linked to our ability to develop and maintain our quality of life whilst reducing our impact on the Earth. For this, renewable energy is fundamental and its demand is ever increasing. Considering the importance of … Read more Sharing solar cell research
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