(l-r) Prof Barney Pityana (UNISA), Khungeka Njobe and Dr Thulani Dlamini (both CSIR) seal the deal with their signatures
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The clarity and accuracy of scientific research results at CSIR Biosciences is expected to improve in leaps and bounds following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the CSIR and the University of South Africa (Unisa) for the commissioning of a super-conducting, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Instrument.
This ceremony follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two organisations in August last year, to explore collaborative research and biotechnology skills transfer.
The NMR machine operates by generating a magnetic force field 300,000 times stronger than the magnetic field of the Earth. The 600 MHz NMR machine is worth close to R10 million.
This instrument offers scientists the means to fully characterise the structures and molecular dynamics of isolated compounds of interest, such as extracted plant material, or parts of a protein produced in a biological expression system. This non-destructive analysis system enables scientists to, among other things, design better and more effective drugs against a variety of disease-causing micro-organisms. In view of the fact that many new drugs, or the proteins to which they bind, cannot be crystallised, applications of NMR technology has in recent years become the pre-eminent approach for determining the structure of organic compounds. While the instrument was purchased by Unisa, the CSIR, according to the MOA, will provide a suitable facility to house the instrument, with subsequent maintenance costs being allocated on a pro rata basis between users. The CSIR is contributing to human capital development by allowing Unisa post-graduate students, studying in the field of biotechnology, to perform practical work and receive training in CSIR laboratories by CSIR staff. The lack of suitable post-graduate biotechnology training and research laboratories, plus equipment on the Unisa Campus, has previously resulted in certain constraints, which have now been removed as a result of the signing of the MOA between the two organisations.
Dr Martin Myer, Senior Lecturer and Research Co-ordinator in the Department of Life Consumer Sciences at Unisa, and who was instrumental in facilitating the partnership between the two organisations, said, “Students would mostly be aligned with ongoing CSIR projects, where currently there are not enough existing CSIR personnel to complete all the work that needs to be done. From our side it’s a solution... students no longer have to be employed in industry to be able to graduate. They can complete their practical work at the CSIR.”
Speaking at the MoA ceremonial signing at Unisa on 4 March, Khungeka Njobe, Group Executive: R&D Outcomes and Strategic Human Capital Development, told the audience that the intentions of the partnership resonates well with the CSIR mandate.
Dr Thulani Dlamini, Interim Group Executive: R&D said, “We are very excited to have gone into partnership with Unisa. This is long overdue. Even though the relationship leans strongly towards our Biosciences Unit, we hope that this will grow and spread across the CSIR to other areas of research. I think there is a lot of synergy. This fits well with our research focus and agenda,” he added.
Professor Barney Pityana, Principal and vice-chancellor of Unisa, commented that progress in distance education has now made it possible to offer science courses. “The university is hoping to establish a reputable science facility and we need this partnership. The CSIR has enormous resources, scientists and facilities,” he said.
Professor MC (Rita) Mare, Vice Principal Academic, indicated that the signing of the MOA, should be seen as the first leg of securing collaborative training and research between the two organisations, which should then serve to attract more students to this partnership, not only in Biosciences, but in other areas as well.
Dr Tertia van Eeden, Head of Department (HOD) for Life and Consumer Sciences at Unisa, revealed that her organisation had already begun reaping the fruits of this partnership. “Our institution has since attracted three postgraduate students,” she said.
News contributed by: Asha Speckman, CSIR Communication
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