Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine

Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine. The Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine is a premier research entity within the University of Cape Town's Faculty of Health Sciences. Founded in 2004, it operates as a cross-faculty virtual institute, uniting scientists from diverse departments to tackle major health challenges. Its mission is to advance fundamental discovery and translational research, with a particular focus on diseases disproportionately affecting the African continent.

Overview

The institute was established to create a collaborative, interdisciplinary hub for biomedical research at the University of Cape Town. It functions as a "virtual institute," integrating the work of principal investigators and their teams from across the university's departments, including Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, and Medicine. This model fosters synergy between basic science and clinical research, bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and patient care. The institute's strategic location in South Africa places it at the epicenter of intersecting epidemics, providing a critical context for its research agenda.

Research Focus

Core research is strategically centered on diseases of major local and global importance, primarily tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and related co-infections. A significant program investigates the molecular pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the development of novel drug regimens and vaccines. Research on HIV encompasses viral pathogenesis, host immune responses, and the intersection with non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer. Additional focus areas include malaria, antimicrobial resistance, and the molecular basis of cancers prevalent in Africa, such as cervical cancer linked to human papillomavirus infection.

Key Initiatives

Major initiatives include the Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, a long-term partnership with the Wellcome Trust supporting core research on tuberculosis and HIV. The institute also hosts the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, a leading group in clinical trials for new BCG vaccine candidates. Collaborative projects with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institutes of Health target novel therapeutic discovery. Furthermore, it runs significant capacity-building programs, such as the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science initiative, which mentors African scientists.

Leadership and Staff

The institute has been directed since its inception by renowned tuberculosis researcher Valerie Mizrahi, a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and recipient of the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award. Its faculty comprises over 40 principal investigators, including notable figures like Robert J. Wilkinson, an expert in tuberculosis and HIV, and Catherine Riou, who leads immunology research. The leadership structure includes a management committee with representatives from key partner departments and an international scientific advisory board featuring experts from institutions like Imperial College London and Harvard University.

Facilities and Resources

Research is conducted within state-of-the-art laboratories housed primarily in the Health Sciences campus of the University of Cape Town, including the Wernher and Beit Building and the Falmouth Building. Scientists have access to advanced core facilities for genomics, proteomics, bioimaging, and biosafety level 3 containment for work with dangerous pathogens. The institute leverages strong clinical links with affiliated teaching hospitals such as Groote Schuur Hospital and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital for patient-oriented studies and sample collections.

Achievements and Impact

The institute's scientists have made landmark contributions, including pioneering research on the role of nitric oxide in tuberculosis immunity and the discovery of novel drug targets in the tuberculosis bacillus. Its clinical research networks have been instrumental in conducting pivotal trials for new TB drug combinations. The training programs have produced a generation of African research leaders, enhancing continental capacity. Its work has directly influenced global health policy through engagement with the World Health Organization and has secured substantial competitive funding from major international bodies like the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.