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South Africa: Quest for New TB Diagnostic Kit Energised by Award |
| Source: |
www.csir.co.za/ |
| Source Date: |
Thursday, April 11, 2013 |
| Focus: |
ICT for MDGs
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| Country: |
South Africa |
| Created: |
Apr 11, 2013 |
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The group’s work is set against the backdrop of an enormous TB challenge in South Africa. The research project undertaken by this team aims to address shortcomings of current TB diagnostics tests. The team has generated TB detection molecules, called aptamers, in order to develop a simple, accurate, rapid, TB diagnostic tool that does not require a specialised lab or highly trained professional to administer.
The aptamer-based point-of-care TB diagnostics team comprises Dr Makobetsa Khati, Lia Rotherham, Laura Millroy, Charlotte Maserumule, Nqobile Ngubane, Thulile Khanyile and Fanie Marais.
GAP-Biosciences is a collaborative effort between South Africa’s Innovation Hub and the Emory University (Atlanta, USA), supported by the Department of Science and Technology. It is modelled on successful programmes that Emory University has previously implemented.
This programme is the first initiative to focus on building entrepreneurial skills in the biosciences innovation sector in Gauteng. It was introduced to provide significant and unmatched bio-entrepreneurship learning experience for scientists and entrepreneurs interested in pursuing commercially viable opportunities in the biosciences and related fields.
These teams comprise postgraduate students, academics, bio-entrepreneurs and researchers in biosciences and related fields. Individuals in these teams are expected to have technical expertise to perform the required technical development, but require the necessary business, legal and intellectual property skills to take their technologies to the market.
Enquiries:
Dr Makobetsa Khati
mkhati@csir.co.za
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South Africa: Quest for New TB Diagnostic Kit Energised by Award With a motto of “One undiagnosed case of tuberculosis is one too many” a group of CSIR student researchers in emerging health technologies clinched the runner-up spot and R200 000 at the Gauteng Accelerator Programme GAP)-Biosciences Award at the end of last year The team is continuing its quest to introduce a new tuberculosis TB diagnostic tool to South Africa and is putting together an even more compelling business case to attract funding that will enable them to achieve this within the next five years
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