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UCT Research Report '11
280
Dr Lemese Ah Tow
Development of novel diagnostic methods for tuberculosis
Dr Mamadou Kaba
Molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases; the
nasopharyngeal and stool microbiome in early childhood
Contact Details
Postal Address: Division of Medical Microbiology,
University of Cape Town, Medical School, Anzio Road,
Observatory, 7925
Telephone: +27 21 406 6727
Division of Medical Virology
Head of Division: Professor Carolyn
Williamson
Divisional Profile
The Division of Medical Virology contributes to the
diagnosis, treatment, prevention and eradication of viral
diseases in South Africa through a diagnostic laboratory
service together with a dynamic research programme.
Research within the Division focuses on Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Papallomavirus
(HPV) and is largely performed within the Institute
of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine. The
division has made a major contribution to HIV biomedical
prevention efforts through participation in both microbicide
and vaccine trials. In 2011, two HIV candidate vaccines
developed by the division, SAAVI MVA-C and SAAVI DNA-
C2, entered into two expanded Phase I trials where they
will be evaluated with an HIV protein boost vaccination.
The division hosts one DST/NRF SARChI Chair (Professor
Anna-lise Williamon, Vaccinology).
The Virology Diagnostic Laboratory falls within the
National Health Laboratory Service, and is located
at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH). It provides a
comprehensive service to both GSH and Red Cross
Children’s Hospital, and serves as a regional reference
centre providing a clinical and diagnostic service to
local teaching hospitals and surrounding public health
clinics. The Diagnostic Laboratory has a special
interest in molecular diagnosis of human viral diseases
and performs an extensive range of ‘in-house’ and
commercial molecular assays. The Division hosts the
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
Molecular Epidemiology Satellite Unit.
The division contributes to undergraduate teaching and
plays a major role in post-graduate training and currently
hosts 41 post-graduate students (registered for MMed,
MSc, PhD and Post-Doctoral degrees).
Special awards / honours / promotions
• Wendy Burgers was awarded the Wellcome Trust
Intermediate Fellowship in Public Health and Tropical
Medicine
• Denis Chopera awarded a Canadian Institutes of
Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship
• Andile Nofemela was awarded the Fogarty- AIDS
International Training and Research Program Fogarty
Scholarship
• Clinical Infectious Diseases Research Initiative
(CIDRI) fellowships was awarded to: Alfred Bere,
Nonhlanhla Mhkize, Zizipho Mbulawa, Olivia Carulei,
Cobus Olivier and Nobubelo Ngandu;
• Carnegie fellowships were awarded to Andreia Soares,
Lindi Roberts, Marcel Tongo, Shameem Jaumdally,
Gama Bandawe and Shivan Chetty.
• Agano Kiravu won Discovery Health Community Award
for best presentation at 5th SA AIDS Conference,
Durban; June 9-12, 2011
Distinguished visitors
Dr Helen Horton and Dr Don Sodera from the Seattle
Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI)
Divisional Statistics
Permanent and Long-term Contract Staff
Professors
2
Academic
15
Research and Technical Support Staff
19
Administrative and Clerical Staff
3
Total
39
Honorary Staff
Honorary Senior Lecturer
1
Students
MMed
3
Postdoctoral
9
Doctoral
14
Master’s
14
Honours
5
Undergraduate (semesters 3-5)
401
Research Staff and Fields
Emeritus Professor
Professor Keith Dumbell