Content:

Government Grant Boosts Continent’s Malaria Research

7 February 2006

Malaria research in Africa is set to get a major boost with the South African Department of Science and Technology’s R11 million research grant in support of the South African Malaria Initiative (SAMI).

Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, will officially launch the SAMI on Tuesday, 7 February at a special function at the Edoardo Villa Museum, University of Pretoria, commencing at 11h30. Key role players including representatives from the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will attend the launch.

SAMI was initiated in 2005 by the African Centre for Gene Technologies (ACGT) - a joint venture between the Universities of Pretoria and the Witwatersrand as well as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The aim is to encourage collaboration between various local malaria researchers and to establish networks with other key players on the African continent. This will equip researchers to create the critical mass required to enable African researchers to generate solutions to an African problem, says the Director of ACGT, Prof Jane Morris.

According to Prof Morris, malaria still ranks as one of the major challenges that inhibits development and growth of the African continent and other poor countries. "It is estimated that approximately 20% of deaths among children under the age of 5 in Africa can be attributed to malaria. It is further estimated that 40% of the world’s population live in high malaria risk areas, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1 - 2 million people annually."

SAMI’s research will focus on three key areas, including: (1) drug discovery and pre-clinical development of novel potential anti-malarial compounds; (2) new and improved diagnostics; and (3) molecular epidemiology and parasite-vector interactions. It is envisaged that an integrated program of research will be attained through the expert inputs from SAMI and other research specialists from the Universities of KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town, Witwatersrand, Rhodes and Stellenbosch, as well as the Medical Research Council of South Africa, the National Health Laboratory Services, and the National Institute of Communicable diseases.

South Africa is best placed to undertake cutting edge molecular research due to the country’s:

• access to biodiversity as a source of anti-malarials and insecticides;
• critical mass of scientists working in drug discovery from both the drug target and drug lead perspectives;
• potential to link vector and parasite research to tackle the malaria problem in an integrated fashion, access to malaria cases, and unique laboratory mosquito colonies.

The SAMI will encourage researchers from across South Africa to pursue a common goal to control malaria on the African continent.

Jointly issued by:
The Department of Science and Technology
University of Pretoria

For more information contact:

The Department of Science and Technology:
Kristin Klose, Manager: Communication
Cell: +27 (0) 82 902 9503
Email: Kristin.klose@dst.gov.za

The Ministry of Science and Technology:<
Nelvis Qekema, Ministerial Liaison
Cell: +27 (0) 82 571 2571
Email: Nelvis.qekema@dst.gov.za

The University of Pretoria:
Rene Bosman
Tel: (012) 420-4644
Email: rene.bosman@up.ac.za

For Enquiries about SAMI:
Prof Jane Morris
Tel: (012) 420 5498
Email: jmorris@csir.co.za