Research group: Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases (SBID)

 

In SBID we are interested in unravelling mechanisms underlying infectious diseases at the molecular and atomic level. To do this we investigate virulence/pathogenicity factors produced by pathogens and their interaction with host receptors by molecular, biochemical, structural and biophysical techniques. The results allow us to understand how these proteins are able to target and modify critical points in the communication or metabolism of the host. This detailed information of mechanisms of disease opens the door to developing drugs and other strategies to combat and possibly prevent these deseases.

 

High brilliance, macromolecular diffractometer (Rigaku 2019, NRF NEP), crystallization room with incubators, crystallization robot, adjustable temperature shaker incubators, cell disruption system, liquid chromatography systems (Äkta), centrifuges, modern molecular biology and biochemsitry laboratory.

 

Research interests:
Mechanisms of infection, infectious diseases

Areas of expertise:
Structural macromolecular biology, biophysical and thermodynamic quantification of molecular interactions, metabolic pathways especially of human pathogens

Postgraduate Students:
PhD: Adewumi Adeyeye, Clifford Manyo Ntui, Vukosi Edwin Munyai, Linience Maposa
MSc: Kofi Boafoh, Lenye Dlamini, Eugene Duvenage, Hildsley Noome, Clare Boswell
Honours: Patricia Malapile, Retlametswe Motlhaoleng