CBTBR QUEST for Science in South Africa

JUNE 2005:

Both nodes of the CBTBR have also recently produced articles for QUEST: Science in South Africa magazine. Topics covered included:

1. Genomics fights TB: Genomics is revolutionizing the science of epidemiology and helping to custom design public health policies that target TB in different places and circumstances. Eileen Hoal and Paul van Helden explain how the new technologies work for South Africa. See QUEST 1(4), 2005 pages 3-5
2. Understanding the TB Bacterium: Defeating TB is knowing how the disease works and how the bacterium survives and grows in the body of infected persons and animals. Bavesh Kana and Valerie Mizrahi intricate laboratory work that’s needed for developing better treatment. See QUEST 1(4), 2005 pages 7-9

MORE INFORMATION ON QUEST:
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Taken from ASSAf website:
“It (QUEST) is intended to be a shop window for South African science in action. It is aimed at decision-makers, the public, the scientific community and students, and it hopes to inspire the two senior years at secondary schools”.

Prof Valerie Mizrahi honoured as HHMI international research scholar

JULY 2005 

Tuberculosis, malaria, hemorrhagic fevers, and anthrax all are infectious and parasitic diseases posing a global problem that calls for a global solution. So the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is awarding $17.5 million to 42 outstanding scientists in 20 countries to tackle the mysteries of the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying infectious and parasitic disease. What they learn could help identify potential new drug targets and develop vaccines.

Prof. Valerie Mizrahi from the University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service in Johannesburg was the only South African scientist (and one of two Africans), who was honoured as a (HHMI) International Research Scholar on Friday, July 8. Mizrahi, who is the Alternate-Director of the CBTBR, is a recognized leader in tuberculosis research. Her group studies the mechanisms underlying TB's remarkable ability to adapt to adverse conditions and persist in a dormant state from which it can reactivate to cause disease. She also devotes considerable effort to mentoring young South African scientists. This is her second HHMI infectious diseases and parasitology research award. 

For more information on this award click here.