Research overview
The Department of Biochemistry is positioned at the interface between chemistry and biology, moving from molecular structures via macro-molecular activity to biological function.
We undertake, inter alia, applied studies in Immunology; Discovery and development of novel antibiotics and biocides, Steroids; Systems Biology; Epigenomics and Bioinformatics. We are also home to the South African Research Chair in Mechanistic Modelling of Health and Epidemiology, held by Prof Jacky Snoep.
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Drug and Biocide Discovery
Prof Erick Strauss
The Strauss Lab's core research efforts are in the multidisciplinary field of Chemical Biology. We mainly focus on the chemistry and biology of the ubiquitous metabolic cofactor Coenzyme A, and on low molecular weight thiol-dependent redox biology. We also apply the expertise we gain in this manner to the design and development of new antibiotic agents – especially those that target diseases relevant in the African health context.
Prof Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
Prof Marina Rautenbach
The Biopep Peptide research group under the leadership of Prof Marina Rautenbach investigates resistance towards, mechanism of action and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of antimicrobial peptides and membrane active antibiotics, using both natural and novel synthetic compounds. These antimicrobials are directed against a number of targets such as resistant bacterial pathogens in particular Listeria monocytogenes, fungal plant pathogens, as well as parasites causing malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) and African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei).
Dr Naeem Sheik Abdul
Mitochondria play important roles in energy metabolism and are responsible for many cellular processes. The Abdul group is focused on understanding the impact that dietary bioactive compounds have on mitochondrial function and the molecular mechanisms involved within the context of toxicology and pharmacology.
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Dr Tawanda Zininga
The Zininga Group focuses on investigating the role of molecular chaperones in protein folding in cells under stress. Our main focus is on the malaria agents Plasmodium spp. The parasites are dependent on a robust protein folding machinery for their survival in stressful environments. We hope to understand the parasite protein folding system, and we intend to apply the knowledge to other diseases.
Immunology
Dr Annelise Botes
The Botes Group focuses on ostrich pathogens and vaccine development in the context of Immunology, ELISA, diagnostic PCR, establishing immunization schedules, DNA-vaccines, molecular biology, new generation sequencing techniques, prokaryote genome sequencing and annotation, DNA- and protein sequence bioinformatics.
Principal researchers
Steroids
Prof Karl Storbeck
Steroid hormones play a vital role in the regulation of metabolism, inflammation, immune function, salt and water balance, stress management, and reproduction in all mammals. In Prof Karl Storbeck's research group, they focus on the production of steroid hormones by steroidogenic tissue, the down-stream metabolism of these hormones in peripheral tissue and the role that this metabolism plays in health and disease. They are particularly interested in the previously overlooked 11-oxygenated androgens which us and others have shown to play a role in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer.
Prof Donita Africander
The research in our laboratory is focused on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of those steroid receptors that contribute to the development and progression of inflammation and breast cancer. Considering that different steroid receptors can be expressed in breast cancer tumours, and that emerging evidence shows a clinically relevant interplay between some receptors, we are investigating the consequences of having different levels and combinations of steroid receptors present. Moreover, we have a specific interest in how compounds such as progestins used in contraception and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may influence these mechanisms. We explore these using molecular approaches, with the aim of aiding in the development of new therapeutic strategies to effectively prevent or treat breast cancer.
Dr Nicky Verhoog
Our main research focus is on the role glucocorticoids via the glucocorticoid receptor and inflammation have on insulin signaling.
Principal researchers
Systems Biology
The Molecular Systems Biology group studies the control and regulation of cellular processes using theory, computer modelling and experimental approaches. A main project to quantitatively understand the functional behavior of Biological Systems as a function of the characteristics of their components. by the development of a theoretical framework, based on control analysis, for describing metabolic regulation in an integrative cellular context that includes metabolism, signal transduction and the genetic hierarchy; aspects of this theory are studied experimentally in unicellular organisms, e.g. yeast, bacteria and Plasmodium falciparum, using controlled cultivation in bioreactors and quantitative analysis with HPLC, mass spectroscopy and NMR.
The group is active in the field of computational systems biology, both in the development of kinetic models of real-life systems (sugarcane metabolism, comparative analysis of glycolysis in various organisms, yeast cell cycle), and of new modelling tools (PySCeS and JWS Online).