The Department of Medical Biosciences is a vibrant department, comprising the disciplines of Anatomy, Medical Microbiology and Physiology, and offers exciting opportunities for research to dynamic and motivated postgraduate students. The main thrusts of the postgraduate programme involve understanding the relationship between ‘Lifestyle and Disease’ as well as ‘Understanding of the Pathology of Disease’ through cutting edge research.
Specific expertises reside within the broad research fields of Anatomy, Cardiovascular Physiology, Herbal Sciences, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular & Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Reproduction, Toxicology and Virology, which collaborate interdisciplinary.
The neonatal lung project focuses on the effects of nicotine in lung development and potential strategies to counteract the adverse effects of smoking in lung development.
The reproductive biology project focuses on the effects of traditional African herbal remedies on male reproductive functions, the development of new male contraceptive strategies of plant origin, plant extracts that may have both anti-viral (particularly anti-HIV) and anti-bacterial properties as well as on the understanding of the adverse effects of male and female genital tract infections on the fertilization process and the health of the infant.
Two major projects on apoptosis (programmed, gene controlled cell death) focus on cancer cells and cardiac cells as modes to anti-cancer therapies and compromised heart cells. Moreover, these projects also investigate the pharmacological effect of various phytochemicals on different cardiovascular diseases, e.g. hypertension.
The environmental water pollution project focuses on the development of immuno-assays for biomarkers for physiological system (endocrine, reproductive, immune) modulation in order to improve the quality control of drinking water quality.
Newly emerging projects explore microbes and their effects on female morbidity and dental health as well as the mechanisms of infection of coronavirus to cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The principal investigators in the department are mostly NRF-rated scientists, publish in internationally renowned journals and enjoy considerable international recognition. Strong collaborative ties exist between prominent research groups in Australia, Chile, Germany, Singapore, the USA and elsewhere.
M.Sc and PhD programmes are offered in the following research areas. (Potential supervisors are indicated )
Anatomy (Dr. Abdul-Rasool, Prof. Monsees, Dr. Mbonile)
Cardiovascular Physiology (Prof. Dietrich, Mr. Burger)
Cell Biology / Cancer Research (Prof. de Kock, Prof. Hiss, Dr. Abdul-Rasool )
Electrophysiology (Prof. Fisher)
Immunology (Prof. Pool)
Lung Research (Prof. Maritz)
Medical Microbiology (Prof. Africa, Dr. Klaasen, Dr. Morris)
Human and Animal Reproduction (Prof. Henkel, Prof. Monsees, Prof. van der Horst, Prof. Fisher)
Neuroscience (Dr. de Smidt, Dr. McBride, Prof Fisher)
Toxicology (Prof. Monsees, Prof. Pool)
Virology & Molecular Biology (Prof. Fielding, Prof. Hiss, Dr. Klaasen)
Food Toxicology (Dr Morris)
Dr Sahar Abdul-Rasool
Areas of Expertise: Molecular Biology
Current Project
Mr. Andries Burger
He has extensive experience in the use of
computers in physiological research and in education. He has university
qualifications not only in mathematics, zoology botany, biochemistry and
physiology but also in tertiary and continuing education as well as in
computer science. He developed hardware and software to capture and
analyze analog and digital data with high precision. He also developed
instrumentation for microperfusion and measurement of transmembrane
potential differences in isolated kidney (nephron) segments and for the
recording of the contractile parameters of isolated cardiac trabeculae
while observing the latter under a fluorescent microscope. This system
can be used to investigate the changes occuring in cardiac muscle under
variouis experimental conditions. He developed a system that can be used
for open circuit spirometry in humans and in small experimental
animals. This system facilitates the determination of respiratory
parameters and the indirect measurment of metabolic rate, RER, %fat/%CHO
consumption etc. He developed software for the determination of
contractile parameters in isolated aorta rings. He is currently involved
in investigating the effect of extracts of a plant used in traditional
medicine on mammalian cardiovascular function. He has instrumentation
set up to determine the inotropic and chronotropic effects of these
extracts in in vivo as well as in in vitro mammalian models. He is
interested in exercise physiology and the relationship of the
respiratory and cardiovascular function to physical performance. He also
has an interest in malignant cancer and radiotherapy and will be
interested in collaborative work in any of the obove fields. In summary:
He is a general physiologist with extensive experience in physiology
education at a tertiary education level and a specific interest in the
renal system; respiratory system; heart and cardiovascular system as
well as in exercise physiology and malignent tumours.
Prof. Maryna de Kock
Most of her research is centred on providing
evidence for the chemopreventative efficacy of certain compounds on
malignant cells in vitro. This is accomplished by identifying the
molecular mechanisms causing quiescence, anti- mitotic, cytotoxic
effects and apoptosis or autophagy in various types of transformed
cells. She believes that more knowledge of the molecular processes
(signal transduction and growth control) affected by anti-tumour agents
may aid in the treatment of cancer.
In an equivalent study on breast cancer
cells, she and her team hope to improve knowledge of the mechanism of
hormonal resistance and the relationship between estrogen signaling and
cell growth pathways. It is known that estrogen and the estrogen
receptors (ERs) are critical regulators of breast epithelial cell
proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Resistance to
anti-estrogen therapy used effectively for ER positive invasive breast
cancer in many patients, unfortunately often develops. By using
anti-estrogen compounds in combination with novel anti-tumor extracts
from plants she anticipates to overcome the development of resistance to
endocrine therapies. The research could then provide the basis for
combining signaling pathway inhibitors with endocrine therapies.
Current Projects
The radiosensitizing effect of PGA2 in MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells irradiated with x rays and neutrons.
In vitro cell signaling events of Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and Tamoxifen in breast adenocarcinoma (SUM 185 PE and SUM 44 PE) and a non-tumorigenic breast epithelial (MCF 10A) cell line
Flavonoid dietary interactions in relation to their potential anti- and/or pro-oxidant properties
Comparative in vitro study of the anti-tumour effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on HT-29 human colon cancer cells
The modulation of colon carcinogenesis by dietary ω-6/ω-3 fatty acid ratios: a chemopreventive strategy.
Prof. Daneel Dietrich
In our laboratory we developed a model of diet-induced hypertension
and insulin resistance to study the use of phytotherapy in hypertension
dvelopment and treatment. Other research includes the development of
hypertension due to intrauterine stress, and its complications.
Current Projects
Dr. Okobi Ekpo
Dr. Ekpo’s research interests include
studying the neuroprotective effects of pharmaceutical products and
herbal extracts against potential damage caused by environmental
toxicants, irradiation and diseases. He uses cultured neural cells,
tissues and animal model systems of nervous system disorders to
investigate changes in cell and tissue morphology, cell viability and
cell death. Techniques include basic histology, immunocytochemistry,
immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and morphometric analysis.
Current Projects
- Effects of rooibos herbal tea and Bisphenol-A on bEnd5 cell lines
Dr Burtram Fielding
The development of drugs against RNA
virus infections is expected to have a significant impact on human
health-related quality of life. RNA viruses include in excess of 350
different major human pathogens and are responsible for many emerging
diseases. These viruses are responsible for not only very frequent
benign diseases, but also for millions of deaths each year in both
industrialized and developing countries. Among the most significant
viral infectious agents are the coronaviruses, responsible for between
10- 15% of all common colds in the world. Very few effective antiviral
drugs against these viruses exist. In the USA alone, the common cold
leads to ~100 million GP visits at a conservative cost estimate of
US$7.7 billion per year. Also, up to 189 million school days are missed
annually due to a cold, resulting in 126 million parents missing
workdays to stay home to care for their children. This leads to a total
economic impact of cold-related work loss exceeding US$20 billion per
year.Prof Fielding’s research group in the Molecular Virology Laboratory
(MVL) focuses on the interaction of RNA viruses with the human host at
the molecular level. Currently we are focussing on the emerging human
coronaviruses SARS-CoV and HCoV-NL63. MVL is studying the role of
viral-viral and viral-host protein interactions, with the specific aim
at elucidating the role of these interactions in virus pathogenicity.
Prof David Fisher
Male Reproduction and Contraception Research group:
Exploring the Electrophysiological and Molecular Properties of the Testis with a view to Reversible Male Contraception.
The
seminiferous tubule is a likely site in the male reproductive tract to
which manipulation (using various plant extracts, drugs and/or hormones)
could result in reversible sterilization (male contraception?). Highly
sophisticated electrophysiological techniques are currently used to
study the physiological properties of the seminiferous tubule in our
laboratory. Seminiferous tubules are essentially made up of two types of
cells: Sertoli and germ cells. The Sertoli cells are crucial for the
support and development of germ cells into sperm cells. One particular
feature of this process is the formation of tight junctions between
adjacent Sertoli (TM4) cells (which constitutes the blood-testis
barrier). As these tight junctions develop between adjacent TM4 cells,
the permeability across the monolayer decreases and this variable can be
measured using a TER Ohmmeter. Our lab also measures intracellular
potentials and membrane currents which gives substantial evidence of
transport of ions across a cell membrane as well as to the permeability
of cell membranes.
We will collect data on the effects of
selected plant extracts on the assembly or disassembly of tight junction
molecules. This will therefore indicate whether or not the Blood-Testis
Barrier will be compromised and therefore also spermatogenesis.
Identifying an active molecular species within a plant extract capable
of reversibly compromising the tight junction molecules will be
tantamount to identifying a possible male contraceptive.
The
experimental techniques of this research provide exciting research
avenues for the future testing of drugs (male contraceptives), hormones
or combinations thereof on the germinal epithelium (Sertoli cells).
Male
Reproduction and Contraception Research group: Prof D Fisher, Prof Ralf
Henkel, Prof Thomas Monsees, Prof Doug Bowles, Dr Ekobi Ekpo, Averouz
Maritz, Nicole Haines, Hitesh Harribhai.
Neurobiology Group:
Effects of methamphetamine (Tik) on the Blood-Brain Barrier
Several
immortalized endothelial cell lines are currently being developed as in
vitro models for the blood-brain barrier (BBB). b.End5 cells are one of
only two commercially available mouse brain capillary cell lines and
still need to be fully characterized in terms of their ability to mimic
the in vivo BBB characteristics. The function of the BBB, which is
created by tight junctions between adjacent endothelial cells, is to
protect the underlying brain parenchyma from blood-borne toxins and
pathogens while maintaining the optimal ionic milieu for neural
function. The abuse of illegal methamphetamine (METH), a powerful psycho
stimulant that is eroding the lives and families of especially poor
communities in the Western Cape, has long been a world-wide public
health problem. Due the lipid-soluble nature of METH, it diffuses across
the plasma membrane of brain endothelial cells, by-passing the
paracellular barrier of tight junctions, and has severe neurotoxic
effects. In addition, METH weakens the integrity of the BBB, making it
susceptible to bacteria and viruses such as HIV-AIDS. There is presently
a scarcity of studies dealing with the effects of METH on tight
junction expression and those which have have analyzed the effects of
METH after 24hrs and beyond. This study has, however, focused on the
immediate and short term effects of both pure and street METH (“tik”,
confiscated by the SAPS) on bEnd5 cells, and also the long term
physiological and morphological affects . Here we propose several
mechanisms whereby the junctional complexes of b.End5 cells are altered
by METH exposure and attempt to correlate these changes to the
functioning of the BBB in vivo.
Neurobiology Group: Professor
David Fisher, Dr Kareemah Gamieldien, Dr Okobi Ekpo, Dr Ruth McBride, Ms
Linda Sissing, Shireen Mentor, Tarryn Prinsloo, Tahirah Boltman, Siya
Mafunda, Kelly Thomas.
Prof. Ralf Henkel
Effects of indigenous medicinal plants and their extracts on male reproductive functions
Relationship between sperm ROS production, normal morphology, chromatin condensation and DNA damage
Male genital tract infections
Obesity, metabolic syndrome and male fertility/infertility
Zinc metabolism and sperm motility
Prostate cancer
Aging males problems and their treatment
Current Projects
Effect of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) on prostate cancer cells and benign prostatic hyperplasia;
Effect of South African herbal extracts on male reproductive functions;
Are systemic inflammatory cytokines associated with the metabolic syndrome involved in the pathogenesis of male infertility?;
The relationship between systemic
oxidative stress, reproductive oxidative stress and infertility in men
diagnosed with metabolic syndrome
Prof. Donavon Hiss
The Molecular Oncology Drug Discovery and
Lead Optimization Technology (MODALOT) Division of the Department of
Medical Biosciences is located in the Life Sciences Building (LSB) at
the University of the Western Cape (UWC). This division engenders the
concept of applying innovative molecular technologies and combinatorial
approaches to design and develop personalized cancer and other medicines
that might be potentially beneficial to patients and profoundly impact
drug commercialization and health-care systems in the global arena.
MODALOT strives to be an integral role player in developing cancer
research potential and capacity in South Africa. The strategic focus
areas of MODALOT include comprehensive training of medical scientists in
molecular oncology, oncotherapeutics and oncotechnology, strengthening
of expertise in cancer drug discovery and development, realizing the
ideal of global excellence and creativity in oncology through
biopartnerships with academia, government, industry and pharmaceutical
companies, and advancing novel and beneficial cancer therapies.
Current Projects
At present, Modalot explores six oncologic themes or paradigms.
Multi-Targeted Kinase Inhibitors
- Molecular and Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Cell Signalling and
Proliferation Networks: Correlation with Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptor (EGFR) Biomarker Profiles, Drug Sensitivity, Resistance and the
Efficacy of Drug Combinations;
Implications of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, the Unfolded Protein Response and Apoptosis for Molecular Cancer Therapy
- Correlation of Drug-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, the
Unfolded Protein Response and Apoptosis with Human Tumour Cell Growth
and Survival;
The Role of P-Glycoprotein in
Drug-Sensitive and Drug-Resistant Cancer Cell Lines and Correlation with
Statins and Cancer Prevention Strategies - Analysis of Mechanism-Based Synergy with Anticancer Drugs;
Optimizing Molecular-Targeted Therapies in Ovarian Cancer - The Renewed Surge of Interest in Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers and Cell Signaling Pathways;
Optimization and Preclinical Design of Genetically-Engineered Viruses for Human Oncolytic Therapy;
Traditional- & Phyto-Medicines in Drug Combinations - The Search for Synergy and Increased Efficacy with Current Cancer Therapies
Dr. Liana Maree
Research assistant in an immunology lab – cell separation, cell culture, flow cytometry
Research assistant in clinical trials on
children with HIV/Aids – flow cytometry to determine: CD4/CD8, CD69 and
CD18/CD80 cell counts; apoptosis with Annexin V; and burst test
Principal investigator of research
project on mammalian sperm at UWC – semen analysis, sperm motility
parameters using CASA, sperm morphometric measurements using ASMA, TEM
to determine structure of sperm components, structure and viability of
sperm mitochondria
Current Project
- Morphometric features, function and species specificity of mammalian sperm mitochondria
Prof. Gert Maritz
Research. The effect of maternal nicotine exposure during gestation and/or lactation on lung development in the offpring
Morphometric, morphologic changes of the lungs of the offspring
Structural functional changes
Extracellular matrix adjustments
Transgenerational effects
Dr. Lumuli Mbonile
Research interests include studying
histopathological and histochemical changes of placenta in women
infected with malaria and HIV, surgical site infections (SSI), acute
haemorrhagic conjunctivitis epidemics and health research ethics in
researches involving minors.
- Morphological changes of placental malaria and pregnancy outcome.
- Childrens’ and parents’/ guardians’ understanding of rights, risks and benefits associated with research involving minors.
Dr. Ruth McBride
I am in the process of developing an in vitro model of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) to answer the following questions:
How does street methamphetamine (“tik”) weaken the BBB?
How neurotoxic is “tik”?
How does “tik” affect the immune system?
Are there any medicinal plant extracts that can treat or reverse the damage caused by “tik”?
The techniques that I am using include tissue culture, basic histology and fluorescence microscopy.
Prof. Thomas Monsees
Effect of traditional African medicinal plants on mammalian reproduction and reproductive cell physiology and toxicology
Fluorescence live cell imaging, analysis of intracellular events in real time, cell migration
Biocompatibility and clinical relevance of novel biomaterials
Current Projects
Effect of tea and indigenous Rooibos and Honeybush teas on mammalian reproduction and fertility
Effects of Libyan traditional plants on the reproductive system of male and female rats
Real-time fluorescence microscopy image analysis of testicular cell physiology in response to external stimuli"
Dr. Thureyah Morris
Current research focus is on distribution of
antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use along the food chain
(link between antimicrobial use in agriculture) with resistance in human
pathogenic and commensal organisms.
Current projects
Mr. Cleyson Mupfiga
Research:
The relationship between male genital tract infections, oxidative status, and apoptosis in human spermatozoa.
The metabolism and trafficking of zinc in
the male reproductive tract and its relationship with the development
and function of mammalian spermatozoa
Current Projects
- Zinc trafficking in human spermatozoa
Prof. Edmund Pool
My research focus is the effects of environment (food, air and water) on physiological systems.
Specific projects that my group are currently busy with are:
The effects of informal settlements on the microbial and chemical quality of surface water.
The efficacy of sewage treatment plants to remove endocrine disruptors.
The development of bioremediation systems for endocrine disruptor removal from sewage.
The impact of food and natural products on mammalian physiological systems.
The development of Xenopus laevis organ cultures to monitor environmental toxicants.
Development and implementation of crab haemolymph biomarker assays for environmental monitoring.
Dr. Chontrelle Willemse
Improving the quality of teaching and learning, by monitoring and evaluating the areas of anatomy and physiology.
Current projects
- Multitasking in the classroom of Human Biology I for nursing, and the impact on the students' academic performance.