ISSUE 4/2019
Neuroscience in Africa Minerals to Metals Tackling leishmaniasis Flows of fertility Mining that is more sensitive After malaria, it’s the next most Mapping movements in to people and planet deadly protozoan disease the global fertility industry umthombo 2 contents Umthombo is the isiXhosa word for a natural spring of water or fountain. The Research notes 2 most notable features Millions donated to of a fountain are its drug discovery 4 natural occurrence 18 and limitlessness. Fair work in the gig economy 5 Umthombo as a name Art exploring what it means positions the University to be African 6 of Cape Town, and this 6 publication in particular, Spotlight on neuroscience 8 as a non-depletable well of knowledge. Brain gain: African institute of excellence 10
Epilepsy: a collaborative cure 12
Inside growing brains 14
22 Brain injury and infection: the burden in children 15
Banishing phantom pain 16
Sequencing the future 17
Life is in the details 18
Judges: appointing the right person for the job 20
Global flows of fertility 22
Antarctic cyclones reshuffle sea ice 25
Spotlight on Minerals to Metals 26
Leishmaniasis needs 8 more attention 32
Researchers without borders: a novel collaboration with 26 the University of Bristol 34 An African perspective on gene editing 35 32 5 questions with Hafeni Mthoko 36 RESEARCH NOTES
Benefi ts of breastfeeding Malaria drug less effective can last a lifetime in malnourished children
Mothers can transfer lifelong protection against infection The most common malaria treatment Town’s (UCT) Division of Clinical to their infants by breastfeeding, says a new study by worldwide is less effective for those Pharmacology. She, along with UCT an international team of scientists led by researchers who are particularly vulnerable to Associate Professor Lubbe Wiesner at the University of Cape Town (UCT). The researchers Flushing the disease: severely malnourished and Michiel Smit, previously part of found that infant mice breastfed by a mother who had a guidelines children. This is according to the Wiesner’s lab in the same division, worm infection before getting pregnant acquired lifelong during drought rst study to address the challenge collaborated with international protection against this ailment. of treating malaria in severely partners on the research. The devastating 2015–2018 Scientists previously thought that immunity against malnourished children, speci cally. The results showed that not drought in Cape Town and its illness was passed from mothers to infants only during “It highlights how important only were the levels of the most aftermath saw citizens get behind the time they are breastfed and ended when it is to make sure that optimised commonly used antimalarial drug city-wide water-saving initiatives breastfeeding stops. drug doses are developed for worldwide lower in children’s blood and adopt the catchphrase “If it’s “The work shows that exposure to an infection before undernourished children and other compared to adults’, but that among yellow, let it mellow”, ushing less pregnancy can lead to a mother transferring long-term vulnerable groups – such as pregnant severely malnourished children there and using grey water to do so. immune bene ts to her offspring,” said lead author, Dr women – who are usually excluded was about 19% less of the drug than In response, University of Cape William Horsnell of UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease from studies to decide treatment in other children. This lower exposure Town (UCT) researchers Waseefa and Molecular Medicine and the Division of Immunology. doses,” says Professor Karen also meant they acquired new Ebrahim and Dr Dyllon Randall “This is remarkable and adds a new dimension to our Barnes from the University of Cape malaria infections sooner. published research on different understanding of how a mother can in uence our health.” toilet ushing solutions and their impacts. Ebrahim and Randall calculated that the city’s waste-water Rat poison threatens treatment plants could cope peri-urban wildlife with the additional estimated Urban rat poisons are predators at risk: caracal, 893 tonnes of solids added to the spilling over into the Cape clawless otter, system from grey-water ushing natural environment around Cape eagle owl, large and allowing urine to stagnate in Cape Town, South Africa, spotted genet (pictured), toilet bowls. But the immediate and threatening wildlife, honey badger and water toilet infrastructure could become according to a team of mongoose. Others are clogged by solids. University of Cape Town likely affected as well. They go on to offer practical (UCT) researchers in the The predators aren’t solutions for water-savers to Institute for Communities eating the poisons directly, avoid damaging their sanitation and Wildlife in Africa. though. The poisons are infrastructure. By measuring the designed to work slowly in “It [this work] was inspired by presence and concentration their target species, rats, the Cape Town [water] crisis but of rat poison in liver and which become sick over ultimately we’re looking towards blood samples from 41 days and end up as easy what the sanitation of the future animals, they identi ed six prey for predators. will look like,” Ebrahim said. BABY: JOHN MAYER, FLICKR; GENET: SHUTTERSTOCK; TOILET: VECTEEZY; MALARIA, UNAMID, ALBERT-GONZÁLEZ-FARRAN VECTEEZY; SHUTTERSTOCK; TOILET: FLICKR; GENET: JOHN MAYER, BABY:
2 umthombo 3 Millions donated to drug discovery University of Cape Town (UCT) alumnus and former chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola Neville Isdell has donated USD1 242 160 (about ZAR18 million) towards research into the discovery of new medicines for infectious diseases at UCT’s Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D). Fair
he generous donation will work be used to establish an initial ve-year Neville Isdell Chair in African-centric Drug Discovery and Development at H3D. H3D’s director and founder in t Professor Kelly Chibale will hold the Chair, which includes the directorship GIG ECONOMY of H3D. Through the donation, Isdell, who Two months after launching the first-ever international ranking of working took the world’s largest beverage conditions and standards in the platform economy, Fairwork released four company to new heights during his I am excited tenure, will support solution-orientated about playing new ratings for South African digital labour platforms. research to create life-saving health a part in helping innovations. airwork is a collaboration health and safety of its workers. The ratings help consumers to make “I am excited about playing a part to achieve African between the University of Cape “Fairwork aims to encourage ethical and informed choices about the in helping to achieve African solutions solutions to public Town (UCT) and the University platforms to be transparent about the platforms they choose when ordering to public health challenges on the health challenges of the Western Cape in South work that they provide and to ultimately commodities and services such as food, continent and across the world. I hope on the continent and Africa, and the universities of Oxford create better, and fairer, jobs,” said cleaning services and transport – or this support will help Professor Chibale across the world. and Manchester in the United Kingdom. Van Belle. outsourcing a simple task. to drive and lead innovative research The rating system offers a comparison Oxford’s Professor Mark Graham, & development (R&D) of new malaria of the best and worst working standards Ratings: a useful measure lead researcher on the Fairwork medicines, as well as new tuberculosis of variability in drug response across will work hand in hand to better in the digital or gig economy. Fairwork scores are useful to companies project, said the addition of these (TB) and antimicrobial resistance African populations, which is mostly understand genetic variability in As part of a 30-month project that want to highlight how the jobs new platforms will allow for greater treatments, and train a new generation driven by genetic differences in the diverse African populations,” Chibale funded by the Global Challenge they create are better than those of comparison among companies with of African scientists with key modern expression and activity of drug- explained. Research Fund, UCT’s Professor Jean- their competitors. They are also useful similar missions. pharmaceutical skills required to metabolising enzymes. “H3D will need sustainable funding Paul van Belle and Dr Paul Mungai to regulators who seek benchmarks “This is critical in the development discover modern medicines,” Isdell “In addition to providing useful at critical mass if it is to succeed. (Department of Information Systems) against which to evaluate platforms. of international standards in the gig said. data for targeted clinical trial design, Should H3D continue to be successful, measured digital labour platforms’ “They are useful to consumers economy, as workers, clients and The donation will be used partly and eventually for the establishment it could result in the beginning of a levels of adherence to ve Fairwork and clients who seek to make more managers will now be able to draw SHUTTERSTOCK to lead efforts in establishing the of better directed drug dosage and home-grown pharmaceutical R&D RAWPIXEL.COM principles: fair pay, fair contracts, fair informed decisions about how they direct comparisons between competing H3D African Drug Metabolism and dosage intervals, the African Liver industry that would focus on the unmet conditions, fair management and spend their money,” added Van Belle. platforms,” he said. Disposition Project, also known as Project will also make H3D a unique medical needs of African populations fair representation. These include “And they are also useful to workers The platforms evaluated in the the H3D “African Liver Project”. This centre of excellence where scientists and create high-skilled jobs for African evaluating whether a company pays as they seek to achieve better working survey were Wumdrop, Domestly, Uber PHOTOGRAPH: will focus on addressing the issue from the global north and Africa scientists.” PHOTOGRAPH: the minimum wage and ensures the conditions.” Eats and Nomad Now.
4 umthombo 5 “My master’s thesis looked at the work “Wakanda, as it is presented in the including those that came before: the of artists Zanele Muholi and Nicholas lm, is a ctional kingdom populated genre of Nigerian comics that combine Hlobo and investigated the assumption by ve tribes brought together by elements of African cosmologies and that homosexual and transgender the mineral wealth of [the ctional] Afrotopian themes; the South African identities are unAfrican.” Both ‘vibranium’. South Africa on the other lm Ikati Elimanyama (isiZulu for “Black photographer Zanele Muholi and sculptor hand is settled on gold, diamonds, Cat”); and the black township comic Nicholas Hlobo confront stereotypes of platinum, chromium and uranium. And book superhero, Kwezi. gender and sexuality in their work. it is known for its arrogance about its But Black Panther, she says, was the Makhubu went on to complete a PhD minerals, judicial system, technologies rst such offering from a mainstream in art history. “I became interested in the entertainment giant like Marvel to probe medium of lm and video, so I travelled dif cult questions pertinent to Africa to Lagos – home of the Nollywood lm “I am fascinated and Africans, such as about pan- industry. There I explored the ways artists by … the question of Africanism, black nationalism and the like Peter Hugo and Zina Saro-Wiwa, transatlantic trauma of displacement artists working in lm and video, are what it feels like when through slavery. responding to the Nollywood medium.” you have been so Makhubu also became fascinated profoundly displaced Art interventionism with the many ways that citizenship is Makhubu is working on a book about articulated in post-colonial Africa. from a place and unconventional African art forms and “For example, in the wake of the state yet you identify the role of art interventionism in social broadcaster’s decline in Nigeria in the engagement. “By interventionism, I mean late ’90s, the lm industry sprang up in with nothing else.” that by doing something unconventional part thanks to investment from you are messing with the norm evangelical mega-churches. and going against the grain Nomusa Makhubu, “These mega-churches in terms of what is considered In Living Colour 1 (2014) act as proxies for the state in decorous and what is thought some ways. They offer many of as obscene. of the social services normally “These are works that are provided by the state – often informal, disruptive and housing, health care, banking temporary, and that focus on and childcare – while requiring the strong symbolic codes members to pay tithes, often used in public and urban exploring what it analogous to state taxes.” spaces. These are works that can’t easily be categorised, On borders sold or archived,” she explains. means to be African and belonging “Some examples include Dr Nomusa Makhubu’s work encompasses academic research and During 2014, Makhubu joined performance art and graf ti the Michaelis School of Fine or the art collective that put the visual arts – photography and film, in particular – to explore Art at UCT as a lecturer in art a portable toilet into a Cape ideas of gender, citizenship and what it means to be African. history. Her research interests Town gallery space.” have continued to include Makhubu plans to continue themes of citizenship and the to explore ideas of belonging oday, Makhubu is an award- “When I nished high school, I had questioned the way that such images arti ciality of the nation state. and displacement in her future winning artist and a senior good grades, and I could have followed are presented as documentary in nature When she was asked to research. “I am fascinated lecturer in art history at the a career in the sciences. But I had an ‘A’ while in fact they are highly subjective contribute to a roundtable by ideas of ‘uncitizening’ in University of Cape Town (UCT). in art and a keen interest in what I could and were mostly shot in a studio setting.” about the lm Black Panther, she chose and so on, and the assumption that it Africa and the question of what it feels Among her many accomplishments, she do with it.” Although the work was well received, the borders of Wakanda as her subject. will never spiral into the civil war, poverty like when you have been so profoundly co-curated South Africa’s presentation at when Makhubu was given the chance to “The spatial politics of Wakanda or political and socio-economic demise displaced from a place and yet you LIBBY YOUNG the Venice Biennale with Nkule Mabaso, The idea of African-ness complete her master’s in art history, she as a place are very interesting,” she that other African countries faced in the identify with nothing else. also based at UCT, earlier this year. After completing her undergraduate jumped at it. Even at that early stage, says. “In the paper, I make an analogy 1980s.” “What does the idea of ‘nation state’ But she could easily have ended up as studies, Makhubu’s rst body of work she was fascinated with the idea of what between Wakandan and South African Makhubu also considered the lm mean at this point in time? And what
an architect or medical doctor. investigated colonial photography. “I constitutes African-ness. PHOTOGRAPH: exceptionalism.” in relation to other black superheroes, does the signi er ‘African’ stand for?”
6 umthombo 7 SPOTLIGHT NEUROSCIENCE
Neuroscience in Africa Exploring the human brain and meeting neuro- health challenges in Africa is the goal of the University of Cape Town’s new Neuroscience Institute, designed to be comprehensive in nature and cross-cutting in function. It does this by drawing together expertise across neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, imaging, genetics and neuroscience.
Lindizwe Dlamini, UCT PhD candidate in neuroscience, processes blood for research into traumatic brain injury led by Professor Tony Figaji in the Paediatric Neurosurgery Unit. PHOTOGRAPH: KARIN SCHERMBRUCKER/ SLINGSHOTMEDIA.CO.ZA
8 umthombo 9 FROM LEFT TO RIGHT A thin slice SPOTLIGHT of brain from a genetically modi ed NEUROSCIENCE mouse with different components of the neurons visible in green and red; Amalia Awala, a UCT postgraduate researcher in neuroscience; UCT neuroscientist Dr Joseph Raimondo operating a precision microscope; a blue-stained human pyramidal neuron, a type of large neuron named for its triangular cell body. Brain gain An African institute of excellence
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Neuroscience Institute is It is not enough that the Neuroscience Institute is designed to be comprehensive and cross-cutting, making it possible monitoring of the brain to improve relevant to today’s challenges for experts in diverse fi elds to come together to better understand recovery from injury and development in health care in Africa and of new surgical techniques. One “globally. It must also have African challenges: the interplay between the brain and conditions example is work done by Professor the capacity to answer Darlene Lubbe and her team at Groote like trauma and infection, and its consequences. Schuur Hospital to access brain tumours tomorrow’s questions. via the eye-socket.” Other areas in which the Institute hopes to build on a strong research In 1979, former UCT professor and treating the same brain,” he says. “This, coupled with a special focus foundation are neuro-infection – insight and understanding of these transformation in neuroscience to physicist Allan Cormack won the Nobel “It is therefore essential to give the on paediatric populations, means that diseases that affect the nervous system, populations. ensure that researchers and academics Prize in Medicine for inventing CT next generation of specialists a much the Neuroscience Institute will, in time, such as meningitis and encephalitis – “The UCT Neuroscience Institute is re ect the diversity of South Africa, (computerised tomography) scanning. broader understanding of the brain.” make a powerful contribution to global and early brain development. one place where this is possible, thanks which will help us more easily prioritise Now, 40 years later and in the same According to Fieggen this is one neuroscience.” UCT Professor Kirsty Donald, deputy in part to the special relationship that and address research problems relevant building where Cormack did his of the characteristics which sets the director of the Neuroscience Institute, the university enjoys with the Red Cross to our context,” he says. research, there is an institute dedicated Neuroscience Institute apart from other Breadth of brain research explains that explosive population War Memorial Children’s Hospital as “The honours program in to the human brain. such facilities. “Having a centre which Another de ning characteristic of the growth in Africa could mean that by a teaching facility. The Neuroscience neuroscience is really the entry point The director of the UCT offers truly multi-disciplinary training Neuroscience Institute is the scope 2050 a large part of the population will Institute represents an enormous for young South Africans interested Neuroscience Institute and Mauerberger and the chance for patients to be of its research. In addition to offering be younger than 18 years. opportunity to improve people’s lives.” in a career in neuroscience research. Chair of Neurosurgery, Professor assessed in a holistic way is very exciting a postgraduate programme and “This growth represents huge It’s therefore crucial that we make Graham Fieggen, is a passionate and a rst for Africa.” specialised professional training, the potential,” says Donald, a paediatric Transforming neuroscience resources available to encourage and advocate for, in his words, “doing away Matthew Wood, a UCT alumnus institute’s members are involved in neurologist. “But it also means that we Dr Joseph Raimondo, a UCT senior support those from under-represented with false compartmentalisation when it and professor of neuroscience at the broad-ranging research related to the must urgently understand how best to lecturer and neuroscientist, leads the backgrounds to study neuroscience comes to the human brain”. University of Oxford, believes that the brain. support healthy brain development in institute’s basic neuroscience laboratory at UCT.” “While there has been a tendency institute is unique. “It combines clinical “There is a huge array of work being children, particularly those children who and convenes its honours programme. “It is not enough that the for clinicians and researchers to get excellence with deep expertise in major done: in the community and clinics live in high-risk contexts and places in He believes that the Neuroscience Neuroscience Institute is relevant stuck in the perspective of their areas of neuroscience, such as brain through to operating theatres and which they are exposed to infections Institute represents an opportunity to to today’s challenges in health care training – whether that was neurology, infections, which are a high priority the laboratory,” says Fieggen. “These like HIV. address the issue of transformation in in Africa and globally,” concludes neurosurgery or psychiatry – it is for African and developing-world vary greatly: from a multi-year study of “There are few places in the world the eld. Fieggen. “It must also have the capacity
important to remember that we are all populations. 1 000 mother-child pairs to intensive THIJS VERHOOG, KARIN SCHERMBRUCKER/SLINGSHOTMEDIA.CO.ZA CHATIZA, PHOTOGRAPHS: TARIRO that combine deep expertise with “There is an urgent need for to answer tomorrow’s questions.”
10 umthombo 1 1 SPOTLIGHT NEUROSCIENCE Epilepsy: a collaborative cure Epilepsy – a disorder that causes abnormal electrical brain activity leading to recurring seizures – can affect anyone. Although daily medication can treat the condition, doctors are increasingly recommending surgery as a cure for patients who don’t respond to medical treatment. A multi- disciplinary team of University of Cape Town (UCT) specialists is making sure that more and more patients with drug-resistant epilepsy are cured.
Step 1: Diagnosis Step 3: Treatment Mikhulu* had her rst seizure when she was nine months Once the team has con rmed which part of Mikhulu’s brain is “We rush it back to the lab and very nely section old. She was referred to the UCT-af liated Red Cross War causing her seizures, Enslin decides which surgical technique the tissue,” explains Raimondo, who leads the basic Memorial Children’s Hospital where she was assessed by the to use. neuroscience laboratory at UCT. “Then we use sophisticated 1 head of paediatric neurology, UCT Professor Jo Wilmshurst, “We decide whether we can do a surgical resection to electrodes and microscopes to record the activity of Diagnosis and her team. They diagnosed Mikhulu with epilepsy, remove the part of the brain causing her seizures – the SHUTTERSTOCK individual brain cells. identi ed the type of epilepsy affecting her and started her preferred choice – or whether we can … disconnect it from “We also stain the cells to study their exquisite on medical treatment. the rest of the brain.” morphology. This gives us valuable insight into the Now ve years old, Mikhulu has prolonged seizures If neither of these techniques is appropriate, they will unique features of human brain cells and the possible many times a day. Unfortunately, three kinds of antiseizure consider inserting a battery-operated nerve stimulator. underpinnings of epilepsy.” medication haven’t been able to control them. But in Mikhulu’s case, the team decides to remove the 4 Research Evaluation 2 As part of her assessment in the neurophysiology temporal lobe causing her seizures. After an operation that Step 5: Recovery department, Mikhulu is monitored with a specialised tool that lasts six hours and involves multiple neurological tests, Enslin Mikhulu undergoes rehabilitation after which her doctors will records her seizures and helps doctors identify the part of successfully removes the brain tissue. gradually wean her off her epilepsy medication. This begins the brain where they most likely originate. After a thorough, six months after her surgery. multi-part assessment, Wilmshurst and her team identify the Step 4: Research Due to the nature of Mikhulu’s epilepsy and because she Treatment cause of Mikhulu’s epilepsy and recommend her for surgery. The piece of brain Enslin removes is about the size of a was a well-selected candidate for surgery, she has a very matchbox. This would normally go for routine examination, good chance of being seizure-free and off medication from Step 2: Evaluation but Mikhulu and her parents have given their consent for it to a year after surgery. 3 Before Mikhulu undergoes surgery, she is assessed by be used for research too. neurologists and neurosurgeon Dr Nico Enslin, who will So, Dr Joe Raimondo and his team receive the brain tissue operate on her to isolate the part of her brain causing the in the operating theatre and keep it ‘alive’ using arti cial * While Mikhulu (meaning ‘great hope’ in isiXhosa) is 5 Recovery seizures. She also undergoes a full neuropsychological cerebrospinal uid, a clear liquid found in the brain and spinal not a real patient. The case described is typical of many
assessment. cord that helps to protect the brain. PHOTOGRAPH: KARIN SCHERMBRUCKER/SLINGSHOTMEDIA.CO.ZA. ICONS: undergoing neurosurgery for epilepsy.
12 umthombo 1 3 growing study brain development and ageing in study braindevelopment andageingin radiation –isthat wecanethically ionising does notinvolveanyharmful, is completelysafe,non-invasive and us toconductthiskindofresearch.” imaging (MRI)hasmadeitpossiblefor Cape Town. “Butmagneticresonance War MemorialChildren’s Hospitalin neurologist basedattheRedCross so,” explainsDonald,apaediatric there wasaclinicalindicationtodo radiation thatCTscannersemitunless children toeventhesmallamountof been ethicallyresponsible toexpose 14 “In thepast, Meintjes explain whatthey Inside Inside has had a huge impact on has hadahugeimpacton “One majorbene t ofMRI–which non-invasive techniques brains how we studychildren’s brains. UCT researchers young brains develop in Professor Kirsty Donald for visualisingthebrain availability of safe and have learntabouthow and Professor Ernesta high-risk contexts. Recent growth in itwouldn’t have “ both in the womb and after birth both inthewomb andafterbirth at howchildren’s brainsdevelop– studieslooking in severallong-term brain developmentandfunction.” we wanttoexaminehowdisease alters development andageing–criticalif brain trajectories ofnormal Imaging. Foundation Research ChairinBrain and Technology/National Research South AfricanDepartmentofScience and beyond,”agrees Meintjes,the throughout childhood,intoadulthood healthypopulationsfrom normal, birth, even ifthey have notbeeninfected by thevirus. the healthandmaturityof white matter inbabies’brains, Donald andMeintjesare involved “This allowsustoestablish They have shown thatexposure to HIVcanalter Body ImagingCentre, ofwhichshe research from theCapeUniversities Donald. to structuralchangeslateron,” says infected bythevirus. brains, eveniftheyhavenotbeen andbrainfunctions–inbabies’ learning maturity ofwhitematter–whichaffects exposure toHIVcanalterthehealthand mental healthandexposure toHIV. methamphetamine use,poormaternal like alcoholuse,cigarette smoking, – inthecontextofhigh-riskfactors Meintjes explainsthatrecent “It lookslikethisisalsoleading For example,theyhaveshownthat
PHOTOGRAPH: TINA FLOERSCH/UNSPLASH
PHOTOGRAPH: SUPPLIED speci c diseases anddisorders.” gure outthebrain activityrelated to diversity, etcetera,”continuesMeintjes. and geneticmarkers,microbiome socioeconomic measures, in ammatory neurocognitive performance, function, volumes, withneuropsychological imaging measures, suchasbrain investigate relationships between possible byneuroimaging techniques. a nutrientfoundinmanyfoods. mothers tooksupplementsofcholine– bettercognitively iftheir and performed pregnant. Thesebabiesgrew better amounts ofalcoholwhiletheywere babies whosemothersconsumedlarge adverse effects ofalcohol exposure for supplements canhelpmitigatethe is director, showedthatparticular “In thefuture, thiswillhelpusto “Neuroimaging allowsusto Both ofthesestudieswere made
the burden inchildren and infection: Brain injury rUsl Rohlwink Dr Ursula the organ of injury, the brain. TB, littleresearch has concentrated on of TB meningitisisthemostfatal form disease”, saysRohlwink.“And although elsewhere, inAfricaitremains a“silent traumatic braininjuryisbeing done burdens ofdiseaseonourcontinent.” “My workaddresses thesetwomajor death andillness,”Rohlwinkexplains. are associatedwithhighratesof traumatic braininjuryandTBmeningitis Institute’s rst fellowships. awarded oneoftheUCTNeuroscience system’s membranes.In2018,shewas bacterium infectsthecentralnervous which comesaboutwhentheTB infection tuberculous (TB) meningitis, traumatic braininjuryandtheneuro- her workhasfocusedonchildren with of Neurosurgery in2009.Sincethen, University ofCapeTown (UCT)Division Children’s Hospital. Cross War Memorial facility attheRed monitoring research the cutting-edgebrain Rohlwink workingin UCT DrUrsula Although considerableresearch on “Among Africanchildren, both joined the joinedthe society.” to thefuture ofindividualchildren and health ofthedevelopingbrain iscrucial a productive andfulllife.Ensuringthe relevance topatients,”shecontinues. and ontheother, isdrivenbyits cannot easilybeconductedelsewhere, on thesediseasesthat,onehand, monitoring andlaboratorytechniques. numbers ofpatientsandsophisticated of itsSouthAfricancontext:high unit embracesthestrategicadvantages by UCTProfessor AnthonyFigaji.The Memorial Children’s Hospitalheaded Neurosurgery UnitattheRedCross War improved treatment options.” – withtheaimofidentifyingnewand – andothercommonbraindiseases are relevant tobothoftheseconditions the mechanismsofbraininjurywhich “The brainisthemostvitalorgan for “This hasenabledmetodoresearch Rohlwink isbasedinthePaediatric “My workfocusesonunderstanding umthombo NEUROSCIENCE SPOTLIGHT 15 SPOTLIGHT NEUROSCIENCE
“And we’re participating in the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis Network,” continues Koen, “70 institutions from around the world investigating brain Banishing structure, function and disease using brain imaging and genomics.” The group also recently partnered with researchers at the University of phantom pain Oslo’s Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research to build capacity Katleho Limakatso and by training young researchers and Associate Professor Sequencing conducting research in the eld of Romy Parker are imaging genomics. studying phantom pain: Genetics & neuromuscular a debilitating condition the future disease affecting seven out The African genome is the oldest, Other genetics research of the Neuroscience Institute is concerned of 10 amputees in and as such, the most diverse with neurological diseases that affect the aftermath of in the world. But Africans have people of African ancestry in speci c cardiovascular disease, ways. One example is the important largely been under-represented in research on myasthenia gravis – an like diabetes, and neurogenetic studies. The University uncommon and complex autoimmune trauma. Their recent of Cape Town (UCT) Neuroscience disease that causes weakness in skeletal research adds to muscles. Institute is helping to change that Professor Jeannine Heckmann evidence that phantom through a range of forward-looking, and her team in the UCT Division of pain is real and simple Neurology have, for the past decade, international, collaborative projects been investigating the cause of a treatment can help. on genetics and the nervous system. severe and treatment-resistant form of eye muscle weakness that’s more common among African individuals with People with phantom pain In 2018, Limakatso, an assistant the second in the world – and it worked. Genetics & mental illness and environmental – that may impact myasthenia gravis. were until recently thought to be lecturer and PhD candidate in the “It’s a huge development in pain Psychiatrist and scienti c director of the maternal and child health. The Dr Melissa Nel, who works with mentally ill or faking their pain, which University of Cape Town (UCT) Chronic management,” Limakatso said. “Often Neuroscience Institute, UCT Professor researchers have already assessed a Heckmann, says recent research has had been stigmatised as a psychological Pain Management Unit, along with pharmacological alternatives don’t work Dan Stein, believes that neurogenetics subset of the participants with a panel of uncovered new genes and pathways disorder. But functional magnetic Parker, his supervisor, completed a – and medication is expensive – and will play an important role in future markers from across the genome that are that may be disturbing the healing resonance imaging (fMRI) has shown trial investigating the effectiveness neither does surgery.” brain science. He explains that the relevant to psychiatric disorders, he says. and energy use of muscles in those that the condition is driven mainly by of graded motor imagery (GMI) What’s more, Limakatso is now UCT Psychiatric Neurogenetics Group, The group is also involved in several susceptible to the condition. Working functional and structural changes in for reducing phantom limb pain able to show, via the GMI programme co-headed by Drs Shareefa Dalvie multinational psychiatric genomic in collaboration with surgeons has the brain, speci cally in the areas that in amputees. GMI is a three-step and the results, that the brain is the and Nastassja Koen, is involved in projects. yielded results supporting what they’ve generate pain. intervention that involves exercises generator of phantom pain. several projects looking at the genetics “We are working with the found through their genetic studies. These changes are also associated and activities to activate the areas of “We need to inform patients and underlying mental illness. international Psychiatric Genomics “Successful collaborations with with the severity of phantom pain: the brain controlling movement of the healthcare practitioners that it can be One, is the UCT-led, South African Consortium,” says Koen, “to include ophthalmic surgeons have provided the greater the changes, the greater amputated limb. easily assessed and managed using the Drakenstein Child Health Study: a our South African samples in their opportunities to – for the rst time – the pain. We also now know that the The treatment was initially developed graded motor imagery programme. multidisciplinary study following large-scale, genome-wide studies on measure metabolic function and gene changes can be reversed with simple by researchers in Australia. However, And that this treatment is affordable, 1 000 mother–child pairs to investigate post-traumatic stress disorder and major expression in eye muscle tissue,”
this study was the rst in Africa and only accessible and effective.” IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK depressive disorder. Nel explains. treatment that provides pain relief. PHOTOGRAPH: MICHAEL HAMMOND a range of factors – including genetic
16 umthombo 1 7 Feeding frenzy (2019), Amalia de Abreu As crustaceans, barnacles are close relatives of lobsters, crabs and prawns. Their modi ed legs, L pictured here, have ne hairs that ife they use to sieve seawater for food. i in th
Microscopic armour of the whale shark, detail Rhincodon typus (2019), Natasha Pindral A selection of The microscopic structure of the skin of sharks, the best macro- skates and rays reveals the presence of minute photography ‘skin teeth’ called dermal denticles. These structures images produced offer protection and interact with water to reduce drag by the 2018 and and turbulence. 2019 cohorts of the University of Cape Town biological science honours course.
Scales of colour (2019), Jessica Arro The lattice of scales that cover butter y wings produce the colours that we see. Depending on their structure, the scales either re ect or absorb light – as seen here on the wing of a green-banded swallowtail butter y (Papilio nireus).
Fynbos guardian (2019), Jess Tyrell Electrostatic charges attract pollen grains from owers onto the body hairs of foraging Cape honey bees (Apis mellifera capensis). From here, they scrape the grains towards their back legs and into Aasblom (2018), pollen baskets for storage. Klara Beckerling The sexual structures of the aasblom (Orbea variegata), a succulent plant indigenous to the coastal belt of the Western Cape, South Africa. It attracts its pollinators – ies – with structures, like hairs and warts, and a smell that mimics rotting meat. Structural splendour (2018), Jess Lund Peacock tails may seem deeply pigmented and colourful, but those colours are a trick of light. The feathers themselves are a dull brown; it’s their microstructure that gives the peacock its splendid iridescent plumage.
18 umthombo 1 9 JUDGES: appointing the right person for the job
A new set of guidelines and principles TRANSPARENCY FIRST “In some countries, that the Democratic Governance and Rights AND FOREMOST we discovered that there Once the research was complete, a Unit (DGRU) at the University of Cape Town special subcommittee of pre-eminent wasn’t really a process at all and that judges justices was formed by the SACJF to (UCT) contributed to are helping to improve draft the principles and guidelines. were still selected through a ‘tap on the shoulder’ the process of judicial offi cer selection in “We didn’t want to be too model in which someone would pretty much just prescriptive, but if you look at other southern Africa. similar international instruments, they get a phone call saying, ‘You’re now a judge.’” tend to be very high level. Whereas we n 2015, the Southern African “We then went into the eld and did want to go deeper into the details we did say that however applicants regional experiences, research and Chief Justices Forum (SACJF) interviewed all kinds of stakeholders of processes. are sourced, it has to be completely practice,” says Oxtoby. met for its annual general – from recently appointed judges “It was at times dif cult to walk transparent.” The document is already being meeting and of cially to lawyers and interested parties a tightrope between being overly According to Oxtoby, transparency used to challenge questionable committed to creating a from civil society – to nd out what dogmatic and allowing for differences emerged as perhaps the most appointments in southern Africa. set of regional principles was happening in practice and what in the way these processes played out important principle overall. And it has come to the attention of the and guidelines on the selection and challenges they faced. In the end, in different countries. But in the end, I “In all these processes, transparency international community. The Council Iappointment of judges in Africa. we managed to cover eight to 10 think we found a good balance.” is probably the single most important of Europe has released a report that “This was the start of what would countries.” To illustrate this, Oxtoby explains way that the independence of the quoted extensively from the Lilongwe become the ‘Lilongwe Principles But the research was not without its the differences that exist between judiciary can be safeguarded.” Principles, recommending changes to and Guidelines on the Selection and challenges. As an example, he explains, countries in the way judicial of cers the judicial appointments process in Appointment of Judicial Of cers’: a “In some countries, we discovered that are sourced. HOME-GROWN Cypress. document created to safeguard the there wasn’t really a process at all and “How do you get a prospective judge SOLUTIONS FOR AFRICA “There has been a great deal of independence and integrity of the that judges were still selected through to an interview situation?” he asks. The document has been extremely enthusiasm for the document, and I judiciary,” explains Chris Oxtoby, a a ‘tap on the shoulder’ model in which “In South Africa, judges have to well received since it was published in think this testi es to its usefulness. senior researcher for the DGRU who someone would pretty much just get a be nominated, but other countries October 2018, after acceptance at the Hopefully, it will continue to be worked with the SACJF to lead research phone call saying, ‘You’re now a judge.’” allow for direct application or 2018 SACJF annual general meeting useful in terms of providing best that contributed to the document. In other places, the research revealed even something that’s more like held in Lilongwe, Malawi. practice guidelines, more coherence
“The rst step was to conduct vastly different views on the same legal headhunting. We didn’t specify one ISTOCKPHOTO “It is the rst document of its kind in processes regionally and possibly thorough research into the law on paper system. But according to Oxtoby, the of these methods over others in the that deals with best practices for in uencing policy. relating to judicial appointments across biggest challenge was distilling the vast Lilongwe Principles. But because of the judicial selection. “If the Lilongwe Principles result in the territories studied, which included amount of information into something need to be sensitive to the particular “It is truly a case of African solutions even incremental change, that will be
east and southern Africa,” he says. coherent and useful. circumstances in different countries, PHOTOGRAPH: for African problems. It is based on very worthwhile.”
20 umthombo 21 uman reproduction no baby,” she explains. “The industry now you want to make a baby using assistive longer relies solely on occurs in many countries and involves fertility technologies you can – if you natural conception. The multiple kinds of reproductive actors are a very rich, heterosexual couple – scienti c advances that or labourers, including egg providers, do this in a place like California, where make this possible combined with ad surrogates, brokers, doctors and commercial surrogacy is legal. But, if Hhoc national legislation and the desires prospective parents. you are a single father, a gay or lesbian of couples struggling to conceive has “It’s an industry that has ourished couple, or if you want a ‘designer baby’ created an international trade in fertility. against a legislative backdrop outlawing of a speci c race, it gets complicated. This global industry is what Pande many of these activities.” “In these cases, you can travel to an studies. To illustrate how these processes egg bank in New Delhi to be matched “The global fertility trade can include might occur, Pande describes a with an egg donor who comes from anything that goes into the making of a common scenario. “These days, when Ukraine, South Africa or another country.
1. India 2. ailand e decentralised Up until 2012, India was Thai authorities industry of the foremost hub for banned the practice commercial surrogacy. in 2013 after an global fertility Then the country international scandal in banned commercial which clients refused Over time, the global fertility gestational surrogacy, to accept a baby born industry has moved from one forcing the industry to with Down syndrome. country to another as the move to Thailand. legislation to regulate it has passed in each successive place.
3. Nepal Commercial surrogacy moved to Nepal. But after the 2015 earthquake, it was banned there too when it came to light that military planes had been used on behalf of clients to rescue babies born by surrogacy while leaving the surrogates themselves – who were Indian nationals – stranded.
4. Cambodia 5. Laos and Once again, the industry moved, this time to African Cambodia. There the women stayed mostly in dormitories near fertility clinics for the duration countries The industry is now of their pregnancies. The government caught legal in some states in on and criminalised surrogacy in 2017. This Global the United States but is forced many women who were pregnant at the rumoured to be active time to make a choice: keep the child as underground in Laos flows of their own or go to prison. and several African MACROVECTOR_OFFICIAL AT FREEPIK.COM MACROVECTOR_OFFICIAL AT MAP ILLUSTRATION: What does the global fertility industry reproduce – apart from nations, including Kenya and Nigeria. babies? Associate Professorfertility Amrita Pande, a sociologist and feminist Is South Africa involved? There is a high demand for white eggs and South Africa is the cheapest source of them. In South Africa, according to Pande, the majority ethnographer at the University of Cape Town (UCT), seeks to answer of egg providers are Afrikaans-speaking women who come from smaller cities in the Western Cape. They are paid between USD2 000 and USD3 000 to travel to egg banks this central question through her research on the global fertility market. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM across the world for about 15 days during which time their eggs are harvested. PHOTO:
22 umthombo 23 Your sperm will be “ You might think that new On an individual level, used to fertilise this egg. most of the surrogates and Antarctic cyclones “The embryo will be fertility technologies would remove the egg providers are women own to Laos where it will burden of reproductive labour from from poorer countries in be inserted into a woman the global south, who bear reshu e sea ice from Mexico, Cambodia women, or at the very least, challenge children for richer couples University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers have measured – for the or Thailand. The woman societal norms.” hailing from the global will live in a dormitory north. Pande is careful to fi rst time – the impact of an unusual and intense storm on the sea ice next to the fertility clinic describe these women as around Antarctica, home to some of the most severe storms on Earth. for the duration of the active participants in this pregnancy. When she process but admits that uring 2017, UCT researchers After analysing more storms in the understanding of Antarctic sea ice gives birth, you will take they are also vulnerable on a cruise to Antarctica saw region, the team was able to con rm because, up to now, scientists have the child and return to to exploitation. rst-hand the effects of an how storms in the Southern Ocean not been able to take many direct your home country.” On a national scale, Dexplosive polar cyclone as maintain sea ice that is less compact and measurements of it during winter. This, says Pande, is she likens the industry to it passed over the marginal ice zone: more mobile than previously thought. “Lots of exciting new science is one global fertility ow – other factory industries the section of sea ice close to the open expected from this project. It will provide the subject of her current that move from one ocean where atmospheric, oceanic More to come the rst coverage of an entire seasonal research on the industry. country to another as the and ice processes are interlinked. The As part of future expeditions – one of cycle of sea ice in the Atlantic sector of legislation to regulate the cyclone they observed was explosive which departed during July 2019 – the Southern Ocean,” says Vichi, who e paradox of industry is passed in each because of the sudden, intense UCT researchers intend to continue also is the cruise’s chief scientist. surrogacy successive place. deepening of low pressure at its centre. their research into this phenomenon The cruise – which is part of a Pande’s rst book, There is also the What Associate Professor Marcello as well as the other aspects of Antarctic project sponsored by the South Wombs in Labor: question of how race and Vichi and his colleagues saw provided sea ice. African National Antarctic Project Transnational Commercial reproduction intersect. the rst direct evidence of a winter polar The researchers on board the (Southern oCean seAsonaL Experiment, Surrogacy in India, was “In my second book, cyclone rearranging the marginal ice cruise – 25 from UCT and 70 from the SCALE) – is a collaboration between the result of a decade of I look at the reaf rmation zone. The storm altered ice distribution rest of South Africa and the world – several South African institutions and ethnographic research at of the desirability of – by increasing waves and drift of oes, are studying winter conditions in the international partners in Australia, a fertility clinic in western India. convenient way that the bodies of these whiteness and the reasons that people for example – and the effects extended Southern Ocean. Winter cruises such France, Germany, Sweden and the “After spending so much time women are celebrated when they’re seek out egg providers of a speci c as far as the Antarctic continent. as this are essential for improving our United Kingdom. with the women at this clinic, I came serving others, but regulated when they race,” says Pande. In many cases this to realise that my perspective was do the same thing through their own happens when a woman who is part of very Eurocentric. In the book, I tried agency – through punitive measures, a couple feels insecure that she is not to shift the focus away from the ethics such as long-term forced birth control – providing her own genetic material and morality of the subject towards an as a form of neo-eugenics. and therefore wants as close a match understanding of this as a new form as possible physically. The other of reproductive labour market.” Race, reproduction instance in which prospective parents Wombs in Labor explored the different and inequality request an egg provider of a speci c forms this market takes, from ideas In her current research, Pande has race is when they are intent on ‘racial of surrogacy as ‘God’s work’ to a zoomed out from surrogacy to look improvement’. conception of it as ‘dirty work’. This at the many interwoven processes “This is a phenomenon seen often is what Pande terms the paradox that make up ows of fertility around among Chinese and Israeli clients. of surrogacy. the world. The prospective parents are looking “Often it is the rst time that the “You might think that new fertility for white mixed-race babies, for a women involved in this labour market technologies would remove the burden variety of reasons, and the clinics are are ever celebrated, praised or of reproductive labour from women, ready to provide them this strategic rewarded for their fertility. An irony in or at the very least, challenge societal choice,” explains Pande. an anti-natal state like India where norms. But in fact, my recent research This research is part of a large JEREMY KRAVITZ women are told not to have babies or shows that the global fertility industry initiative funded by the South Winter in the Atlantic Southern Ocean where having many babies is linked reaf rms pre-existing inequalities.” African National Research Foundation, aboard the SA Agulhas II. In the distance, to poverty,” says Pande. These inequalities are reproduced in titled Global fertility ows, based in the you can see the waves from a polar cyclone approaching the ship. PHOTOGRAPH: MARIA LINDSEY/PEXELS The book goes on to describe the several ways, according to Pande. UCT Department of Sociology. PHOTOGRPAH:
24 umthombo 2 5 SPOTLIGHT: MINERALS TO METALS
for MINING the FUTURE How can the mining industry continue to provide the materials that are essential to our lives while also becoming more people- and planet-centred? The Minerals to Metals Initiative at the University of Cape Town (UCT) aims to answer this question through research, education and engagement that unites technical expertise with a wide-ranging interdisciplinary approach. SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOGRAPH:
26 umthombo 27 SPOTLIGHT: MINERALS TO METALS
mining,” says Broadhurst. “Modern Less-than-perfect legacy ensuring that the bene ts of mining mining might have emerged during Towards Mining may be an essential human can be distributed equitably to the the 17th century but people were less waste activity, but it also has a poor track whole of society.” mining in Africa centuries before that.” record of social exploitation. The oldest mine in the world, she One of the most pressing “Historically mining was more of a says, is in Eswatini. People there were problems facing mining is one craft. But, during the 1800s in Europe, “At Minerals to Metals, we aim to mining haematite – an important ore in which Minerals to Metals has an industrial model of mining was of iron – 43 000 years ago, around done a great deal of research: created and exported to colonies integrate fundamental research and new the time that humans were reaching how to better deal with mine around the world. technology with the twin imperatives waste? Europe. According to Broadhurst and “One of the consequences of of guarding against environmental Petersen, metals and the minerals Mine waste currently this model was that in many places, they are derived from have been accounts for 70 to 90% of the people who lived and worked in degradation and ensuring that the indispensable to human development all ore extracted. According mining areas did not share in any of bene ts of mining can be distributed ever since. to UCT Associate Professor the wealth produced by the mines,” “Metals and minerals are not just Jennifer Broadhurst, as long as says Petersen. equitably to the whole of society.” found in the places you might expect, there are tailings dams – which Mining’s history is also marred like your smartphone. These materials are used to store waste products by widespread environmental think globally there is a growing are in everything we use; even your of mining operations – the degradation. realisation that we have to toothpaste contains about six mined long-term risks of pollution and “There is no getting away from the Dangerous mine dust nd more sustainable ways minerals,” says Broadhurst. catastrophic failure events will fact that mining is an invasive practice Tackling the long-term health and environmental problems caused to mine, in which the sector Petersen explains that some people persist. Take, for example, the that uses resources, power and vast I recent environmental and social by mine dust is at the heart of a pioneering network at UCT that moves from an extractive model argue that we no longer need to mine tracts of land,” says Broadhurst. towards a developmental one,” says because we have other sources of impacts of the Brumadinho “Historical mining practices have left spans several African countries and brings together researchers and UCT Associate Professor Jennifer energy – wind and solar power – or dam disaster in Brazil that a legacy of land degradation and stakeholders from various disciplines and professional backgrounds. Broadhurst. because we can replace minerals with killed hundreds of people. pollution from emissions, such as mine “In the past, tailings dams Broadhurst is part of the core other materials, such as carbon bre. dust and acid mine drainage, that “We plan to develop a common understanding around the risks of mine have led to dust in the air, leadership team of the Minerals to But that thinking is misconceived. directly impacts the health, quality of dust and work together towards integrated and inclusive solutions,” says seepage into the soil and Metals Initiative, a UCT signature “In fact, mining is fuelling the green life and livelihoods of people.” UCT Associate Professor Jennifer Broadhurst, who heads up the cross- pollution plumes,” she says. theme established in 2007 that aims economy. This is because the complex Sometimes the environmental disciplinary and inter-sectoral Mine Dust and Health Network hosted by “Even in the case of new to integrate and expand capacity minerals we mine help to build the effects of mining are more indirect but Minerals to Metals. facilities, these repositories of in minerals bene ciation research. infrastructure that supports renewable no less pervasive. Mine dust – emitted from open-pit mines, ore-processing plants, mine- waste are hard to rehabilitate.” Or, as Professor Jochen Petersen, energy and the move away from coal,” In Zambia, for example, mining has waste deposits and other mining sites – contains ne mineral particles that And because of ine ciencies another member of the leadership he says. changed human migration patterns. can cause lung disease and other respiratory problems when inhaled. in extraction processes, tailings team explains it, “We aim to create a Mining is integral to the generation, During mining booms, people gather “When gold miners drill into the rock, it liberates silica particles,” says dams have taken a lot of platform for sustainable development storage and transport of green energy. near mines. But when there is a slump, Dr Shahieda Adams, co-director of the steering group leading the network water and energy to produce in Africa through minerals and metals.” For example, new commodities they seek out alternative livelihoods, and a senior lecturer at the School of Public Health and Family Medicine at and often still hold valuable Petersen describes the current like lithium, cobalt and rare earth such as farming or producing UCT. “Once silica gets into lungs, you can’t get rid of it.” resources that are lost. challenges facing mining as complex. metals are used in batteries and charcoal. This often has unforeseen Gold miners who have been working on the mines for many years are Minerals to Metals is “Whatever solutions we use in the communications equipment. Rare consequences, deforestation for particularly at risk. Adams explains that they often end up losing their jobs, working on a variety of projects future have to be grounded in an earths, together with more established instance. as they are too ill to work. is places a huge burden of care on already- that aim for minimal waste. understanding of the complex nature commodities, such as aluminium and Broadhurst believes that the answer strained public health and social security systems. “Instead of stockpiling waste, of the problems we face today. copper, are used in wind turbines and to addressing this legacy and avoiding One of the goals of the network is to establish the economic burden of let’s use it in a myriad of other “Mining remains important and electric cars. these problems in the future lies in disease among mineworkers, their families and communities around mines – ways, from bulk stock in the necessary, but it must also tread lightly “Many of these minerals are found a multidimensional approach that for which little data exists. construction industry to the when it comes to people and the in South Africa,” Broadhurst explains. combines depth and breadth. Another key aim is to nd common ground between the mining industry, planet.” “The platinum-group metals (including production of stone paper, “At Minerals to Metals, we aim
WIKI COMMMONS; SHUTTERSTOCK policymakers and communities. “Beneath the tension and mistrust that bricks and ceramics, and even platinum, palladium, rhodium and to integrate fundamental research can develop between stakeholders in the mining industry, there is a real fabricated soils created from Why can’t we do without? others) are used as exhaust catalysts in and new technology with the twin willingness among them to try and solve the problem of mine dust and to coal waste,” she explains. “Africa is not just the cradle of petrol and diesel vehicles, but they are imperatives of guarding against create solutions,” says Broadhurst. humankind but also the cradle of also used in fuel cells.” environmental degradation and PHOTOGRAPHS:
28 umthombo 2 9 SPOTLIGHT: MINERALS TO METALS
“We need young people who have The mine of the future “I think instead of seeking endless automation, we need to an understanding of how to work ask ourselves: for whom are we mining? in multi-stakeholder groups if we “People need to be put back into the heart of the mining model because mining is central to human activity,” says are to solve the complex problems Petersen of the ideal mine of the future. “Good practice – in processing mined minerals and facing humanity.” metals, and manufacturing goods from them – involves incorporating a number and variety of smaller enterprises. This leads to more medium-scale industry,” he continues. “This in turn creates integrated and adaptable communities in which the original mine provides just one element of thriving business infrastructure.” Broadhurst agrees. “The ideal mine of the future would be a mine not only for the people but also with them. Greening abandoned mines “The mining industry has made great strides in the way Another major research theme in the it thinks about sustainable mining practices, but much work of Minerals to Metals is post- remains to be done and none of it is possible without good mining rehabilitation as a means to governance. Right now, there is an understandable trust encourage sustainable development. de cit in mining in Africa, but in the future, I believe we can “There are now 6 000 abandoned remedy this if we ensure that mining is cleaner, greener and mines in South Africa alone with more socially acceptable.” more closures expected,” explains Broadhurst. “Often mines offer a hub of infrastructure and services, which can include providing water Urban mines a small-scale industry in South Africa,” Growing T-shaped leaders and electricity, housing, transport and The practice of recovering useful she says. “It’s currently limited by the and quantitative research methods in a two-year health care. When they close, they minerals from post-consumer waste – lack of public awareness, the public’s Minerals to Metals strives to fast-track the development course covering sustainable development, strategic leave an economic vacuum.” mostly by recycling items that would perception of costly and once-valuable of students as T-shaped individuals who have a depth of social engagement and environmental stewardship in Minerals to Metals is piloting the end up in land lls – is known as urban devices, as well as the risk associated disciplinary knowledge coupled with a broad perspective. mining and minerals. use of restorative agriculture through mining. It includes scrap metals and with data leakage from storage “Society can’t wait a lifetime for this perspective • Leaders in Extractives and African Development a Community of Practice project with e-waste – electronics goods often devices.” to be developed. We need young people who have an (LEAD). e LEAD programme promises to equip a UCT Mineral Law in Africa, the UCT contain circuit boards and other Also, the legal regulations governing understanding of how to work in multi-stakeholder new generation of African mining professionals Centre for Bioprocess Engineering components with signi cant amounts the collection and processing of groups if we are to solve the complex problems facing with skills needed to become leaders in the Research and UCT Development Policy of valuable metals. e-waste are ambiguous, which leads humanity,” says UCT Associate Professor Jennifer responsible extraction of minerals in Africa. Research Unit. Restorative agriculture The e-waste chain in South Africa to confusion and the danger that Broadhurst. • Upcoming: postgraduate programme in mineral can be used to ecologically rehabilitate was something that Zaynab Sadan, a the industry might go underground. resource governance. Minerals to Metals and UCT land that was previously mined and to former Minerals to Metals postgraduate Minerals to Metals is working with e Minerals to Metals Initiative at UCT o ers three are working to develop a new blended (online and provide post-mining economic activity. researcher, studied as part of her Mineral Law in Africa to clarify the educational programmes: on-campus) master’s degree and short courses in “One of the options we are looking master’s research. She discovered that regulations surrounding e-waste • An MPhil specialising in sustainable mineral resource economics and law, environmental at is bre-based plants, such as the technology to recycle e-waste recycling in South Africa and better resource development. is course is a
DOKUMOL/PIXABAY protection and community development aimed bamboo, which generates a multi- already exists, but it was not being used support a waste economy. It is also transdisciplinary and inter-institutional, research- speci cally at an African audience. is work is product value chain from simple due to social, economic and legislative teaming up with a local manufacturer to based degree o ered through the Minerals to Metals supported by the University of Massachusetts in products like rope to complex products barriers. develop a process for recovering metal Research Initiative in the UCT Department of the United States. like polymers,” she says. “E-waste collection and upgrading is from e-waste. Chemical Engineering. It combines qualitative PHOTOGRAPH:
30 umthombo 3 1 After malaria, leishmaniasis recommended for leishmaniasis due to the invasive route of administration ranks as the second most deadly and associated drug toxicity. Thus, protozoan disease in humans. preventative measures instead must be strengthened. These include vector control – the use of pesticides and diagnosis, treatment“ and overall Tackling a fatal disease insecticides – social mobilisation to management. But despite all efforts, Leishmaniasis is medically complex educate people in endemic areas on there’s still no vaccine. Which is why and the fact that it ‘hides’ in cells of the behavioural changes, treated nets and the WHO considers it a neglected body makes treatment complicated. environmental management. disease of the world – under-funded Sodium stibogluconate and liposomal In addition, innovative ideas into and under-researched by both private amphotericin B are widely used to alternate treatment options, such and public organisations. treat infection. But this involves a long as host-directed therapies, must be There is no convincing explanation duration of treatment that needs to be explored. as to why this is the case. One reason administered into the vein. In line with this, the WHO has may be because it affects people who These drugs were introduced in the targeted neglected diseases, live in remote areas where reporting 1940s. Almost 80 years later, they’re including leishmaniasis, for control and and diagnostic systems are poor and still being used with only one other elimination by 2030. This roadmap health care is a luxury. drug, Miltefosine, approved in 2002. is being implemented to achieve The gap in knowledge – and Adding to this, new challenges keep the health-related 2030 United treatment – of the disease is emerging. For example, the ef cacy of Nations Sustainable Development particularly bad for Africa. This is sodium stibogluconate is now being Goals, together with policymakers, because the disease presents as an eroded by resistance. In addition, while governments, non-governmental opportunistic infection in patients liposomal amphotericin B deoxycholate organisations, philanthropists, infected with HIV, tuberculosis and has been shown to be highly effective, stakeholders, industries and – malaria. Sudan, for example, holds it’s expensive, restricting its access to essentially – the public. one of the highest rates of Leishmania poor populations. The starting point is that prevention and HIV co-infection. This co-infection This is why accessible, cheap, high- is better than cure. Central to this LEISHMANIASIS is known as a ‘deadly gridlock’ as quality medicine is important. The lack theme is awareness – in endemic both microbes strengthen each other. of a vaccine against leishmaniasis also areas as well as more broadly. But, to Leishmania infection accelerates the complicates matters. build this awareness, we need a wider development of HIV to AIDS while The hope is that our research platform to reach a larger audience, HIV infection increases the risk of will identify host factors that could both public and private. needs more attention developing Leishmania infection be developed for alternative or DR RAMONA HURDAYAL, RAPHAEL TAIWO ARULEBA between 100 to 2 320 times. complementary treatments – termed But all is not lost. Several groups host-directed therapies – since an Dr Ramona Hurdayal, lecturer and team in different continents, including effective host response is required to leader of the Leishmaniasis Research eishmaniasis ranks on the die from the disease every year, while mosquitoes that give just one form of Africa, are working at understanding support anti-leishmanial drugs. Group, University of Cape Town and World Health Organization’s an estimated 1.5 million to 2 million malaria, the sand y can give four forms the complexities of this disease. For Beyond the therapies, the next Raphael Taiwo Aruleba, PhD candidate, (WHO) list of neglected are infected annually. Another 1 billion of leishmaniasis, ranging from lesions example, we are part of a unit at important area of work is integrating University of Cape Town. tropical diseases along with people are at high risk of infection. on the skin to infection of internal the University of Cape Town (UCT) awareness to prevent and manage the the usual suspects, such as Like malaria, leishmaniasis is caused organs. Lesions can lead to disability, that’s been shedding more light on spread of the disease. dengue, chikungunya and rabies. by parasites that are carried by an dis guring scars – and stigma. The the disease. We are analysing how This article rst appeared in The But there’s a strong likelihood that insect – in this case, a female sand y other infections can be lethal if left host factors contribute to the rate of Prevention better Conversation (theconversation.com/ WIKIPEDIA it’s a disease you have never heard of. (pictured). The parasites are of the untreated. natural healing – or recurring infection than cure africa), a collaboration between What’s even more surprising is that Leishmania type. After malaria, it ranks Leishmaniasis was rst identi ed – with the aim of targeting these Mass drug administration, like that editors and academics to provide informed news analysis thousands of people in 89 countries as the second most deadly protozoan in the 1900s. Since then, signi cant for development as host-directed used for other tropical diseases such and commentary.
across all continents, except Antarctica, disease in humans. But, unlike progress has been made in its PHOTOGRAPH: therapies. as schistosomiasis and malaria, is not
32 umthombo 33 RESEARCHERS WITHOUT BORDERS An African perspective on A novel collaboration with the University of Bristol GENEScientists have the power to changeEDITING our DNA, but should they?
This drawing represents the basis of the The University of Cape Town (UCT) has joined hands with the technology, known as CRISPR-Cas9: the enzyme Cas9 (blue) is bound to a piece of University of Bristol to launch a novel Researchers without Borders DNA (yellow) that’s complementary to the PhD programme that Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng target strand of CRISPR RNA it’s carrying (red). has described as a “profound collaboration”. “In germline editing you actually change a person before they’re born and change their offspring.”
he two universities have UCT VC Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng and change a person before they’re born Prof Hugh Brady, president of the University developed a framework of Bristol, shake on the new agreement and change their offspring,” says Tagreement for co-tutored PhDs, following the signing ceremony. De Vries. “This is why the technology providing opportunities for students to is so tricky, because you edit the human work on research projects that exploit gene stock forever. the strengths and capabilities of both “The work of the panel is to set out institutions. the overall narrative of how to make Phakeng and Professor Hugh Brady, decisions about using gene editing and president of the University of Bristol, how to design an appropriate regulatory signed the agreement in Bristol after framework,” says De Vries. the university conferred an honorary the It is a “challenging task” she says, doctorate on Phakeng in recognition Advisory that involves rst proposing what values of her substantial contribution to the Board for Gene should guide the technology and development of mathematics education Editing. De Vries – who then establishing good governance in South Africa. niversity of brings more than a decade’s worth of models. The core principles – decided Participating PhD students will be Cape Town experience in bioethics – is among its on at the panel’s initial meeting – that registered at, and have supervisors Associate 19 members. will underpin its recommendations and co-supervisors at both universities, Professor Jantina de Vries The panel was set up in response are transparency, inclusivity and spending almost equal amounts of time is part of the World Health to the 2018 announcement by Chinese responsibility. at each institution during the four-year, Organization’s (WHO) recently scientist He Jiankui that he’d successfully “Decisions about genetic data and fully-funded scholarships. established Advisory Board for used CRISPR to edit the genes of research have been handled on the Phakeng said the novel programme, Gene Editing, which is developing a twin girls to protect them against HIV continent as an agenda largely driven with its focus on early-career framework for just how far gene editing infection. by the global north,” says Professor researchers, has great potential to This is a watershed should reach. CRISPR refers to a family of Ntobeko Ntusi, head of the UCT support future leaders in research and moment in our relationship “For all its incredible potential, specialised DNA sequences and an Department of Medicine. society, while “bringing two great gene editing carries complex ethical associated protein (Cas9) that can be “Jantina has skills both in bioethics universities together in a profound and partnership work in Africa and social questions, the answers to used for germline editing. This is when and genomics in Africa and understands collaboration”. which could impact the human genome genes are edited in an embryo. Both the complexities and challenges we face Brady said he was delighted to mark in new, exciting, co-evolved projects, community. forever,” says De Vries, an associate human germline and somatic editing – as a continent,” says Ntusi. “To have her the signing of the agreement with UCT, he added. The rst cohort of seven students, professor in bioethics in the UCT when genes are edited in a living person as part of the WHO panel af rms our COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL DAVID S GOODSELL, RCSB PDB (CC BY 4.0) DAVID calling it “a watershed moment in our Initial support for the programme will start projects this year across the Department of Medicine. – are being considered by the WHO belief that at a global level – where key relationship and partnership work in has come from the two universities, diverse research areas of migration To help establish parameters around panel, but it is germline editing that policy decisions are taken around the Africa”. the Global Challenge Research Fund and mobility, public health, exercise gene editing and how legislation can raises the most cause for concern. ethics of genetic research and genetic PHOTOGRAPH: It will support world-class research and the University of Bristol’s alumni and epidemiology. ILLUSTRATION: guide its use, the WHO has established “In germline editing you actually material – Africa needs a voice.”
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What is the difference innovations that support the 1between information achievement of community goals and systems and information strengthen community cohesiveness. Editorial team Lisa Boonzaier For example, I have been focusing technology? Carolyn Newton on health promotion in a township Jess Oosthuizen 5 community in Cape Town and how QUESTIONS Birgit Ottermann At a basic level, information systems to improve health communication UCT authors Helen Swingler WITH combine information technology with activities there. people and processes to address a Freelance authors Kim Cloete Hafeni Mthoko problem and achieve a desired goal. Ambre Nicolson Therefore, it covers a broad spectrum How can information Laura Rawden of areas beyond the information 4 and communications Design Jo Skelton As a postdoctoral technology itself. technologies (ICTs) help Printing Hansa Print researcher in foster social change? information systems, Why are information With special thanks to our researchers and other staff members ICTs as tools open easier and different 2 systems important in who contributed articles, information and images. Dr Hafeni Mthoko avenues for communication and an African context? aspires to go beyond information flow. This can influence Produced by Global Strategy & Visibility Unit our social interactions for good or the boundaries of her Information is all around, and yet, UCT Research Of ce bad. Such access to information and there is untapped knowledge within Allan Cormack House discipline to explore knowledge can – if used meaningfully the African context. Why not use Mowbray, Cape Town, how information – facilitate better decision making, information systems to better mine, South Africa problem identification and action in systems and technology create and disseminate information response to social challenges. can support the social suited to this context to address the Contact us
sector. She is based challenges we face? +27 (0)21 650 4015 What is the best piece at the University of [email protected] 5 of advice you’ve received Cape Town’s (UCT) Can you describe your www.research.uct.ac.za 3 research in simple as a young researcher? @UCT_Research Centre in Information terms? @UCTResearchandInnovation and Communications My work doesn’t have to be perfect, Currently, I am trying to understand but it does have to challenge the Technologies for boundaries of existing knowledge. The paper used in this publication has been certi ed by the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™), broadly how people access and an independent, non-pro t organisation that protects forests for future generations.
So I should be easy on myself and MICHAEL HAMMOND
Development disseminate information: what (ICT4D). communication mediums do they embrace the process one step at rely on and to what extent does that a time: I don’t have to have all the understanding facilitate the design answers on the first day, if I did then
of locally relevant communication it wouldn’t be research. PHOTOGRAPH:
36 Neuroscience in Africa