Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
School of Biological Sciences
Department of Biochemistry
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The Tuberculosis (TB) Research Programme focused on the functional role of the cell wall lipids of the tuberculosis bacillus in the virulence of the pathogen and the immunological interaction with the host. The highlight of the study was the discovery of a structural mimicry between a TB cell wall lipid with a host lipid that is widely distributed on the lipoproteins and cell membranes of the host. Collaborative research created the opportunity to chemically synthesize and modify specific cell wall lipids of the tuberculosis bacillus, to demonstrate their specific structural properties. This aspect will be an important focus of the work in 2004. Good progress was also made with the development of a serodiagnostic assay for tuberculosis based on the detection of anti-TB antibodies in patients against TB lipid antigens, by means of a sophisticated resonance mirror biosensor.
Die tuberkulose (TB) navorsingsprogram fokus op die funksionele rol van selwandlipiede van die tuberkulose basillus in die virulensie van die patogeen en die immunologiese interaksie daarvan met die gasheer. Die hoogtepunt van die studie was die ontdekking van 'n strukturele verwantskap van 'n TB selwandlipied met 'n lipied wat normaalweg wyd verspreid in lipoproteïene en selmembrane van die gasheer voorkom. Hierdie verleen beter insig in hoe die organismes lipiede aanwend om infeksie te bevorder. Die selwandlipiede het tegelyk ook immunologiese aktiwiteit in die gasheer. 'n Samewerkingsooreenkoms het die geleentheid geskep om die spesifieke selwandlipiedes van die tuberkulose basillus chemies te sintetiseer en te modifiseer, sodat die spesifieke strukturele eienskappe gedemonstreer kan word. In 2004 sal die navorsing in besonder op hierdie aspek fokus. Goeie vordering is ook gemaak met die ontwikkeling van serodiagnostiek van tuberkulose, wat gebaseer is op die aantoon van anti-TB teenliggaampies in pasiënte teen TB lipied antigene, aan die hand van 'n gesofistikeerde resonans-spieël biosensor.
Contact person: Prof JA Verschoor.
Funding for tea research was obtained from the Mitsui-Norin tea company in Japan that enabled research to continue elucidating the bioavailability of tea anti-oxidants in healthy volunteers – the health conscious public is very interested in tea and wine antioxidants. With the new technique of proteomics research comparing liver proteins from mice drinking tea or water it was discovered that several proteins were up regulated while others were down regulated. Identification of these proteins may explain some of the health benefits of tea, especially in the prevention of liver and other cancers.
Collaborative research with the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology on the anti-fungal properties of tea extracts discovered that tea extracts have very broad-spectrum anti-fungal properties in vitro against 15 out of 20 plant pathogens of tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce; in vivo studies on plants will be conducted in 2004. These anti-fungal properties may become very important in organic farming of vegetables and fruit.
New collaborative research with the Department of Anatomy will investigate combinations of AZT and tea polyphenols in mouse bone marrow cells infected with murine leukemia virus, in cell cultures. This will test the hypothesis that there exists synergism between expensive patent medicines and inexpensive plant extracts that may lower the cost of treatment of AIDS patients. Future research projects will aim to improve the quality of tea produced in southern Africa. The possible patenting and registration of plant breeders' rights for tea should provide better protection of licensed producers, increasing the profitability of the tea industry and research funding.
Contact person: Dr Z Apostolides.
See Research Report Vol 1
Contact person: Dr F Joubert.
See Research Report Vol 1
Contact person: Prof AI Louw.
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