DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
This is the news blog for the Division of Molecular Biology & Human Genetics and the Division of Immunology
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease primarily caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Mtb is transmitted through aerosol droplets released when a patient with pulmonary TB coughs. TB pathogenesis begins when the inhaled bacteria arrive at the alveolar region of the lungs. There resident alveolar macrophages, serving as the…
Statistical models are a lot like beauty pageants. You can philosophically discuss what truth/beauty really is or rant about how models don’t represent the general population. Both have curves, tight fits and ways to cover up unfortunate data points. Both are slightly obsessed with perfection, while both actually know this…
Imagine if the human body was as transparent as a jellyfish. This would mean that as we take a bite of an apple, we can track how it goes from the mouth to the stomach, how it gets digested and circulated all through the body. Life will be a lot…
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is transmitted from one individual to the next through aerosols [1]. Upon TB infection, the pathogen can either be successfully cleared from the lungs as a result of the innate immune response or acquired T-cell…
I am a molecular biologist which means that I study the organization and functions of the genes and proteins that make up cells. A major flaw in my field is that we tend to be obsessive about the minutest details. Whole PhD projects can focus on the role of one…
Of all the information shared to me by my microbiology lectures in undergrad, one analogy stood out the most: “if alien’s visited the planet and said ‘We come in peace. Take us to your leader.’ I would point to a random space occupied by any number and variety of bacteria” Dr. Bouwer.…
It is no secret that Southern Africa shoulders a major burden with regards to tuberculosis (TB), indeed fifth highest in the world. But did you know that TB also affects domestic animals such as cattle? And when you’re on a game drive in the beautiful Kruger National Park to spot a lioness…
Pictured here is MBHG BSL-3 manager Dr Nasiema Allie, responsible for all operations and safety related to infectious disease research carried out at MBHG, demonstrating how to use this PPE with the help of Dr Usha Lalla, head of the A5 Medical ICU at Tygerberg Hospital. To assist healthcare professionals…
To support a local business and alleviate some of the financial burden imposed as a result of the nationwide Lockdown, MBHG allocated R15 000.00 in funds towards a Veggie Box initiative, in collaboration with Valota Farming in the Philippi, to feed members of the communities in which we serve. Notably, almost 1/3 of these funds…
Although it has identified it in 1882 by Robert Koch, Tuberculosis is still one of our major public health concerns and its agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains quite mysterious even to the numerous specialists studying it. Until the early 20th century Tuberculosis had a 70% fatality rate after 10 years of infection, which gives…