Inflammation and Immunity Research Unit
Current projects
Lifestyle
and occupation as potential determinants of inflammation-associated degenerative
diseases
The principal investigators in this project are Dr Grace Ramafi (a former
member of the Unit, who is now with the National Centre for Occupational Diseases
and continues to do laboratory research in the Unit) and Prof. Annette Theron.
They are currently investigating
the mechanisms by which exposure to platinum (and other transition metals)
leads to the formation of toxic, disease-causing, oxygen-derived radicals.
They are also examining the role played by cigarette smoking as a predisposing
factor in platinum-mediated induction of toxic oxygen radicals.
Design
and synthesis of novel anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents
This is a major initiative coordinated by Prof. C.E. Medlen of the MRC Unit
for Inflammation and Immunity, involving collaboration with the Universities
of the Witwatersrand, Orange Free State, Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
The primary objective
of this research programme is to design and synthesise novel anti-cancer chemotherapeutic
agents, particularly those that are active against multi-drug resistant cancer
cells. The consortium is also involved in the design and synthesis of chemical
entities, which sensitise cancer cells to the anti-proliferative effects of
irradiation.
Novel
targets for anti-inflammatory chemotherapy
Prof. R. Anderson, Director of the MRC Unit for Inflammation and Immunity,
Prof. Annette Theron, Dr Helen Steel and Ms Riana Cockeran are the principal
investigators for this project.
Their laboratory research
has identified calcium clearance mechanisms in activated leucocytes as being
novel, potential targets for anti-inflammatory chemotherapy. Pharmacologic
agents that affect this process have been identified and the research has
relevance for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, including
bronchial asthma.
Novel
targets in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the development of antimicrobial
agents and vaccines
Dr Nathane Matlola and
Ms Caroline Bopape are the principal investigators in this project.
Dr Matlola has found that
a group of compounds known as the tetramethylpiperidine (TMP) phenazines are
active against M. tuberculosis in vitro. The anti-mycobacterial effects of
these agents appear to involve inhibition of bacterial potassium-transporting
systems.
In collaboration with
Prof. V. Misrahi of the MRC Mycobacterial Genetics Unit, Dr Matlola and Ms
Bopape are attempting to generate potassium transport knockout mutants of
M. tuberculosis, which will be used to identify:
- the molecular mechanism
of action of the TMP-phenazines;
- the role of potassium
transport in the virulence of M. Tuberculosis; and
- potassium knockout
mutants as potential vaccines against tuberculosis.
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