Stem cells: Current reality and future promise

The rapidly evolving field of stem cell research continues to raise great hope among patients. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal that can differentiate into all the specialised cell types of the body when exposed to appropriate environmental cues. Adult stem cells are found in almost all tissues of the body, perhaps the best known being bone marrow, while embryonic stem cells are responsible for much of the ethical controversy that surrounds stem cells. The current therapeutic applications of stem cells include bone marrow transplantation. In the future it is likely that stem cells will be used to treat diseases of the heart, central nervous system and endocrine system among others.

Prof Michael Pepper

May 7, 2013

Researchers

Professor Michael Pepper

Professor Michael S Pepper is Director of the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Pretoria (UP) and Director of the South African Medical Research Council’s Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy.

His research goal is to understand disease pathogenesis and to develop cell and gene therapies for selected diseases. Prof Pepper has been conducting research at UP since 2005, and through his work, aims to improve the quality of life of South Africans and reduce the heavy disease burden in the country.

The professor’s research group has identified key areas that contribute to the burden of disease in South Africa, including communicable diseases such as HIV and COVID-19, non-communicable diseases like obesity or cancer, and maternal and child health issues such as birth asphyxia.

The group’s birth asphyxia project recently received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and focuses on the identification of biomarkers (molecular and imaging) for the condition. This is important in understanding disease pathogenesis and for the design of an interventional clinical trial aimed at assessing the efficacy of one or more neuroprotective agents.

Over the past 18 months, Prof Pepper’s research group has also started two new COVID-19 projects: genetic determinants of susceptibility and severity as well as novel therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Prof Pepper is working with Prof Fourie Joubert of the University’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Prof Pieter de Villiers of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology in transdisciplinary cross-faculty research. Prof Pepper says the work they are doing is inspired by a need to address the needs of South Africans and to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being spent responsibly. Significant advances are being made, and medical research in selected fields in South Africa is being conducted at the highest level globally.

Prof Pepper’s advice to prospective and undergraduate students who are interested in his field is to find their passion and not to be driven by a desire for fame or material possessions. They should be prepared to work hard and be ready to adapt to the rapidly changing environment in which we live.

He enjoys the theatre and horse riding.

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