What
areas has the Government identified as most important to the public?
Development
of AIDS, malaria and TB vaccines
These three diseases affect vast numbers of people on the African
continent. It will massively contribute to the health of our nation if vaccines
against these diseases can be found. The MRC has Lead Programmes - which translate
into even more focused research - in all three of these areas.
Tracking the active compounds of Traditional medicines against Malaria are
(fltr) Dr Niresh Bhagwandin, Dr Gilbert Motlalepula Matsabisa, Ms Sibongile
Pefile and Project leader Prof. Peter Folb.
In front is Ms Sindiswa Luwaca
Development
of barrier methods and microbicides for STDs and HIV
The MRC received substantial funding for the establishment of an HIV Vaccine and Prevention Trials
Research Unit which tests barrier methods (such as the female condom)
and microbicides. This Unit has already completed a trial on a microbicide
which showed that more research had to be done.
Development
of new TB and malaria drugs
The MRC co-ordinates the Research and Development office of the Global
Alliance for TB Drug Development. This Alliance is a global effort to
find effective new TB drugs to shorten and simplify treatment within 10 years.
Our Molecular
Mycobacteriology Research Unit investigates genetic methods for finding
new TB drugs. Through our Traditional
Medicines Research Group, the MRC is also involved in a consortium aiming
to find effective new drugs against malaria - using plants used by traditional
healers.
Food
fortification
Research done by the MRC's Nutritional
Intervention Research Unit showed that a large number of South African
learners are micronutrient deficient. This leads to lower performance at school
and increased numbers of absenteeism. To combat this, scientists at Unit have
developed a nutritional biscuit that can improve children's micronutrient
status. Testing of the biscuit in rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal showed that
the biscuit is very effective. It is now marketed commercially as Carotino
Nutritional Biscuits. To order these biscuits, contact Dr Spinnie Benadé.
Tel.: (021) 938-0283 or e-mail: spinnler.benade@mrc.ac.za.
This Research Unit was also involved in the process of iodisation
of salt in South Africa.
Crime, violence and injury prevention
The MRC has launched a Crime,
Violence and Injury Lead Programme. We are working with a consortium (with
UNISA and the CSIR) to develop a surveillance system monitoring fatal and
non-fatal injuries. This will provide ongoing accurate, relevant, reliable
information about factors such as victim age and sex, socio-economic background,
victim-perpetrator relationship, circumstances of attack, and the involvement
of weapons, alcohol and drugs, which will in turn influence prevention policies.
The MRC is also involved in the Crime Prevention Research Resources Centre,
which boosts the fight against crime against women and children.
Health
promotion targeted at the youth
The MRC's Health
Promotion Research and Development Group investigates risky behaviour
in respect of health among the youth. They study such subjects as tobacco
use among the youth, as well as sexual perceptions and behaviour with respect
to the AIDS pandemic. The information they gather will eventually be used
to develop programmes to encourage healthier behaviour.
Self-management
tools for chronic diseases (e.g. hypertension, diabetes and psychiatric conditions)
The MRC Research
Unit on Stress and Anxiety Disorders investigates the anxiety disorders
- the most common of psychiatric disorders. Apart from their molecular research
that will facilitate the development of new medications, they also run a Mental
Health Information Centre to educate the general public about the management
of these illnesses. Contact
Ms Charmaine Hugo at tel.: (021) 938-9229 or e-mail: cjwes@maties.sun.ac.za.
Rehabilitation
MRC-supported researchers at the University of Cape Town are running
a successful study which gave new confidence to a group of disabled
women from a disadvantaged community. It equipped them with new skills
to face their impairments, for instance increasing their assertiveness so
that they can now use taxi's independently.
Cost-effective
on-site diagnosis
Bringing cost-effective sophisticated health care to the people
in rural areas has always proven very difficult. The MRC launched a Telemedicine
Lead Programme, which will work in close collaboration with the National
Department of Health's Telemedicine Programme. This programme will bring the
expertise of health care workers in urban centres to the rural areas by means
of telecommunication links.
Commercial
application of indigenous knowledge
The MRC, through its Traditional
Medicines Research Group is involved in a consortium aiming to make a
commercial drug against malaria from traditionally used herbs. The MRC has
also launched an Indigenous
Knowledge Systems Lead Programme, which sees to it that the interests of traditional
communities are protected regarding intellectual property rights and equitable
benefit distribution.
Research
into the effectiveness of alternative therapies
Our Traditional
Medicines Research Group investigates traditional medicines and tests,
on a molecular level, whether and how they work. |
