Current Postdoctoral and Research fellows part of the UP ISMC
Dr Benjamim Mapossa Postdoctoral fellow Department: Chemical Engineering Year: 1st |
Project: Biodegradable polymer nanocomposite devices for mosquito control applications Project description: The purpose of this project is to develop a new product by incorporating repellents into biodegradable polymer namely Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) to control the release rate of mosquito repellents from microporous polymer strands, e.g. repellent bracelets and anklets which can be used for longer periods of time for outdoor environments. Biodegradable polymers are used, as they have not a detrimental impact on the environment in the event that used products are discarded or littered after use. Mentor: Prof Walter Focke |
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Dr Phanankosi Moyo Postdoctoral fellow Department: Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics; Division Biochemistry Year: 2nd |
Project: Identification and validation of transmission blocking antimalarial compounds Project description: The goal of the project is to identify and validate transmission-blocking antimalarial lead compounds against P. falciparum. This is focused on human-to-mosquito transmission (gametocytes, gametes, ookinetes, oocysts and sporozoites). Mentor: Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz |
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Dr Janette Reader Postdoctoral fellow Department: Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics; Division Biochemistry Year: 1st |
Project: Identification and validation of transmission-blocking antimalarial compounds Background: Janette is an infectious disease molecular biologist with more than 10 years’ experience in the field of malaria research, with published papers and a strong track record of research projects. She has been particularly interested in the transmissible stages of the parasite with her current main focus being phenotypic gametocytocidal drug screens, male exflagellation assays and standard membrane feeding assays (SMFA). Mentor: Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz |
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Dr Mariëtte van der Watt Postdoctoral fellow Department: Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics; Division Biochemistry Year: 2nd |
Project: Identification and validation of antimalarial compounds with transmission-blocking capacity using robust and novel in vitro assays. Project description: The project goal is to identify and validate transmission-blocking antimalarial lead compounds with potential strategy-specific or sex-specific gametocytocidal activity from novel chemical backgrounds. The aim is to consolidate these enabling technologies into a multidimensional platform to enable smart screening for compounds that interrupt the parasite life cycle by preventing transmission (sexual development). Mentor: Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz |
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