Stellenbosch University Pioneers African Genomics Research, Transforming Rare Disease Diagnosis
Stellenbosch University (SU) is spearheading a genomic revolution that promises to transform healthcare across the African continent. The university's Rare Disease Genomics research group, led by Professor Shahida Moosa, recently participated in the landmark TRANSLATE NAMSE study, published in Nature Genetics. This international collaboration, involving researchers from 16 German university hospitals and SU, successfully diagnosed 499 patients and identified 34 new genetic diseases, potentially revolutionizing genome diagnostics for rare disease patients globally.
How the rhino's 'third eyelid' can boost anti-poaching drive in South Africa
Researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) have made a significant breakthrough in wildlife veterinary care, discovering an optimum way to monitor blood oxygen levels in immobilised rhinoceroses. This innovation is set to boost efforts to combat poaching by improving the safety and efficacy of procedures such as dehorning and relocation.
University of Pretoria Researchers Uncover 'Superpowers' in Mole Rats, Offering Insights for Human Health
University of Pretoria (UP) scientists have made significant contributions to groundbreaking research on naked mole rats, uncovering how these remarkable creatures resist heart attacks and bowel cancer. These findings, published in two separate papers in Nature Communications, add to an already impressive list of mole rat "superpowers" that have captivated biomedical researchers worldwide.
University of Pretoria Researchers Discover Aloe Plant's Potential to Combat Malaria Parasite
Researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) have made a significant stride towards finding a drug that could prevent the transmission of the malaria-carrying parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The study, led by PhD candidate Sephora Mianda Mutombo from UP's Department of Chemistry, investigated the indigenous succulent Aloe marlothii for its ability to kill or stop the proliferation of malaria parasites.