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The bioprospecting research group, focuses on adding value to South Africa's wealth of bioresources and indigenous knowledge (IK) through scientific innovation. This includes identifying potential new drugs from biodiversity and IK based on the use of medicinal plants.
The key focus of the group is to scientifically research and validate traditional medicines aimed at the discovery of early-stage drug leads and further development to proof of concept.
The bioprospecting group manages a comprehensive bioprospecting science and technology (S&T) value chain to include gathering of IK and biodiversity samples, extraction and biological evaluation of samples, bioassay-guided isolation, characteriszation of new biologically- active molecules, R&D of minimally-processed herbal remedies (botanical extracts) and their production in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice in a clinical supplies unit. A major emphasis is placed on the development of herbal treatments in search for solutions to some of South Africa's major diseases: HIV/Aids, malaria and TB.
Due to the wide scope of S&T platforms required to undertake bioprospecting, access to certain platforms is managed through consortium-based research, e.g.
plant taxonomy (SA National Biodiversity Institute); biological assays relevant to malaria, TB, HIV and diabetes (SA universities and science councils); anti-cancer screening in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute in the US; and an array of biological evaluations in collaboration with international screening partners.
Much of this group's research involves collaboration between a multidisciplinary team of scientists: discovery biologists for drug and target identification and validation; systems biologists elucidating the mechanism(s) of action of traditional medicines, while discovery chemists elucidate new molecular scaffolds and lead molecule optimisation. Results from the group have contributed towards the establishment of poverty alleviation initiatives where communities are offered an opportunity to participate in the production of biomass through community-based cultivation and processing of indigenous plants.
Local industry is also provided with an opportunity to produce and distribute competitive, innovative products, preferably protected through patents.
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