Background:
This research group (NAPBI_RG) has interest and focus on the potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate bacterial infections via interrupting bacterial communication systems and interactions. This we do by exploring the natural products (medicinal plants/microbes/propolis and other) and their bioactive compounds to attenuate multidrug resistance. The interest is mainly provoked by the existing indigenous knowledge on traditional medicine. In addition, there is a global emerging problem of antibiotic resistance where high levels of tolerance and resistance in bacterial pathogens are prevalent even within the public sector in SA. This research contributes to the increasing knowledge and acknowledgement of traditional medicine and or indigenous knowledge systems, bacterial virulence and multidrug resistance. Some of the techniques employed in successful execution of this research includes the molecular modelling approach, combined with various in vitro, in situ and molecular techniques. The work involves bringing in collaboration expertise from various disciplines such as Bioinformatics, Biomedical, Microbiology, Plant Science and other. What this groups envisages, is the development of these alternative strategies and drug candidates that would possibly repress the expression of cell-to-cell communication regulated phenotypes, which may have great clinical impact in relation to combating MDR infections. As the Principal Investigator, I envision to broaden the research scope to explore proteomics in this area; while training and striving to make a significant positive impact to young upcoming researchers (students) and contributing to the institution and national research interests.
Team 2023
MSc Students | ||||
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Tahlia Calitz | Perfoy Lumu | Cynthia Mukhanu | Vhangani Mulaudzi | Gugu Ngobese |
PhD Students | ||||
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Idowu Adeosun | Vuyokazi Nongogo | Alphonse Onana |
Past MSc Students:
Past PhD Students:
Collaborators:
Recent Publications:
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