Director: Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI), Prof Jeanine Marnewick, a guest speaker at the Cape Branch seminar series of the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) at Bellville Campus, said diet plays an important role in disease prevention, and antioxidants form an important part of “our diet”.

Marnewick, who is also a Research chair: Biotechnology at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute, presented an update on this, as a follow-up from her first talk she did in 2014. “Antioxidants remain a ‘hot’ and relevant topic attracting much attention.” The title of her talk was: Dietary antioxidants: do we really need them: an update and Rooibos perspective, as this indigenous herbal tea contains unique antioxidants and contributes significantly to our daily antioxidant intake,’ she says.

Marnewick, a NRF-rated scientist, has been in the field of medicinal plant research for more than 25 years. Her focus is on innovative prevention strategies using medicinal plants and phytochemicals aimed at non-communicable diseases, with a focus on cardiometabolic disease and cancer. Elucidating bio-activities of and substantiating health claims around the South African herbal teas, Rooibos and Honeybush and the fact that the prevalence of cancer and heart disease (both involving oxidative stress) in South Africa is increasing, stimulated her research.

The studies she and her team have conducted resulted not only in the first scientific evidence on the chemopreventive properties of Rooibos and honeybush, but also on the first clinical evidence on Rooibos and the promotion of heart health. She is the winner of the NSTF/South 32 Awards 2020 in the Category Science Communication, for leading a team that promotes rooibos as a health promoting option, supported by science.

“From all the scientific evidence thus far, it is clear that dietary antioxidants could play an important role in promoting human health, thus enjoy your daily cuppa Rooibos.”

Lecturer & Curriculum officer: Department of Food Science and Technology (DFST), Dr Vusi Mshayisa, who is also a member of the Cape branch committee, played a critical role in ensuring the event's success by bringing together DFST, SAAFoST and Agrifoods Technology Station (ATS). Mshayisa said the event was the first hybrid meeting of this nature. “At DFST, we are committed to fostering industry partnerships to enrich our student's learning experiences through engagement with professionals in the field.”

The event started with a warm welcome address by Dr George Charimba, DFST acting head of department, who underscored the significance of bridging the gap between academia and industry. Meanwhile Ndumiso Mshicileli, Manager from Agrifoods Technology Station (ATS), “our generous sponsor”, shared insights into the station's pivotal projects and their future aspirations.

Mshayisa added that he was impressed by the captivating presentation by Marnewick on dietary antioxidants. “Her expertise sparked engaging discussions among the attendees, providing valuable insights into the subject matter. Overall, the event was a success, and we hope to have more events of this nature in the future.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Elias Chipofya, a PhD candidate at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI), was awarded a prestigious travel scholarship and recently attended the 2nd School on Neuropharmacology Research and Drug Development in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The programme was organised and sponsored by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) through the African Regional Committee (ARC), in collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe's Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The school provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental pharmacological principles and practices required for researching potential neuroactive compounds. This knowledge and skillset will empower them to transform traditional natural compounds into potent therapeutic agents or preventive strategies, ultimately contributing to the development of innovative treatments and preventions for neurological disorders.

Elias, who is supervised by Dr Taskeen Docrat and Prof Jeanine L. Marnewick, expressed deep gratitude for receiving the travel scholarship, acknowledging it as a testament to his dedication and hard work in neuroscience research. “This transformative experience allowed me to learn cutting-edge techniques in neuropharmacology and network with leading experts in the field. I am excited to apply this newfound knowledge to my research on Rooibos and its potential neuroprotective effects.”

Docrat, his main supervisor, added: “The scholarship will open doors to new opportunities and collaborations, propelling his research to new heights”.

Elias' research focuses on the protective effects of Rooibos herbal tea, a topic of growing interest. With limited knowledge on how Rooibos affects the brain, his research aims to uncover the neuroprotective mechanisms of its antioxidant compounds to prevent Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. "By understanding these mechanisms, we may develop novel preventive strategies to combat neurodegenerative diseases and improve the quality of life for millions worldwide," said Docrat.

Written by CPUT News
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Postdoctoral fellow Dr Naeem Sheik Abdul has added another accolade to his name – the prestigious Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Award in In Vitro Toxicology.

The award supports research to advance the development of alternatives to animal testing in toxicological research.

Last year Sheik Abdul, a postdoctoral fellow at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI), won first place in the science poster awards of the virtual Summer School on Innovative Approaches in Science.

Of his most recent accolade, Sheik Abdul said: “I felt ecstatic and grateful to receive this prestigious award. The funding will be instrumental in advancing my research here at CPUT. I also felt deeply honoured to be recognised by scientists in the field who acknowledge the novelty and importance of the study. It is also very encouraging to receive this award at such an early stage in my research career.”

His project is titled: Role of Non-coding RNAs in Fumonisin B1–Induced Metabolic Toxicity: An Alternate Mechanism of Action.

“Mycotoxin contamination of staple, dietary crops, such as maize, pose a serious threat to food safety and nutrition security in Africa. Despite this, there remains a dearth of knowledge on the effects that these toxins have on metabolic pathways. The present study will look to explore and validate the impact of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) on cell energy metabolism, with a strong focus on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that play important roles in regulating gene expression and regulatory loops that function in maintaining metabolic homeostasis,” he explained.

“FB1 is categorised as a class 2B carcinogen, but mechanisms relating to its tumorigenic potential are not fully elucidated. The findings from this work will advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and unravel the metabolic toxicity of this mycotoxin in relation to its cancer-promoting effects.”

Sheik Abdul said he enjoys the revolutionary process and innovative thinking that science fosters.

“As a researcher, my career aspirations are to contribute to translational research which improves human health directly. I have also had the privilege of being mentored by amazing scientists in the field who helped grow and realise that tackling problems through pro-active scientific research is the best way to provide important information about disease trends and risk factors, as well as intervention strategies.”

AMHBI Director Prof Jeanine Marnewick, said Sheik Abdul’s work was chosen for being outstanding and cutting-edge.

“The Society of Toxicology Awards Programme has been honouring the excellence of those in toxicology for the past 50 years. I am extremely proud of Naeem for setting his sights high, making the effort and achieving the goal. I know the hard work and dedication he has put in to secure this award. The competition was stiff. I wish him continued success as this achievement will definitely contribute positively to his career path as a scientist here at CPUT and looking forward to supporting him and his work here at AMHBI.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The CPUT community is mourning the passing of research stalwart Prof Wentzel “Blom” Gelderblom. Prof Gelderblom was key to cementing the role of a researcher within a university of technology and his legacy will live on in the newly formed Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) of which he was an adjunct member. Prof Gelderblom was appointed in 2014 as the first Research Chair in Biotechnology and Director of the Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology. Before joining CPUT he was Unit Director of PROMEC at the Medical Research Council.

CPUT Vice-Chancellor Chris Nhlapo lauded Prof Gelderblom for his transdisciplinary work and paving the way for future researchers. “Prof Gelderblom was key in starting the first research institute at CPUT that spanned across faculties in support of multi-and transdisciplinary research excellence. In doing so, a sturdy foundation was laid for the eventual establishment of AMHBI now in its second year of existence.” Prof Gelderblom’s colleague and the woman who took over his reigns as Research Chair in Biotechnology, Prof Jeanine Marnewick, says he leaves large shoes to fill. “Prof Gelderblom had a passion for science and was a mentor to many, although he has left our presence, his scientific legacy will live on. A truly great mind and person has passed on,” she says.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

The Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) will be hosting the CPUT Biotechnology Research Symposium on September 7.

AMHBI Director, Prof Jeanine Marnewick, said the main objectives were to inform the CPUT research community about the field of microbial and health biotechnology and how it may contribute to our bio-economy through the innovation pipeline. It also aimed to introduce the research community to some of the research projects taking place in AMHBI.

The speakers include:

• Prof Don Cowan, Director - Genomics Research Institute and Director: Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria
• Prof Jürgen Pleiss, Bioinformatics Group Leader, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart
• Prof Brett Pletschke, Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Rhodes University
• Prof Sias Hamman, Professor in Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, North West University
• Dr Revel Iyer, Director - CPUT Technology Transfer Office

Click here to join: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Nzg4YjFhNTItOWE3OS00ZDFjLTk3MjQtODM1NTc0NjMxZGY4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2290bb22db-a73a-4971-b7d6-7ca3ef90cf06%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2243287890-144c-4465-ac07-b4f5895860be%22%7d

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute’s (AMHBI) Dr Thandekile Mthethwa has been awarded a Y2 -rating by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

NRF ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact, as international peer reviewers perceive. A Y-rating is awarded to promising young researchers.

“I am very pleased and grateful for the recognition; it is humbling when you realise your efforts are seen. It is merely the beginning. This recognition encourages me to continue to do my best work. I continually strive to improve my research and to provide mentorship to the next generation of young researchers.”

Mthethwa joined AMHBI as a researcher in 2015, and her research interests are in nanomaterials and photochemistry.

“My work is focused on the design of high-quality novel nanostructures, their interaction with light and their assembly into functional nanomaterials for applications such as wastewater treatment, as well as the development of fundamental understanding of structure-property relationships.”

The researcher, who grew up in Empangeni and Melmoth in KwaZulu-Natal, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Zululand and her PhD at Rhodes University.

“My greatest research achievement has been my PhD. This is one of the most significant events of my professional career. My research has given me the necessary tools to contribute significantly to the scientific community.”

She said she appreciated the platform that CPUT provided her to establish her research niche within AMHBI, “and I am grateful to everyone who continues to help me in my professional growth”.

AMHBI Director, Prof Jeanine Marnewick, congratulated Mthethwa.

"Since joining the CPUT and AMHBI, Dr Mthethwa has produced a coherent body of work seeking to establish herself as a young researcher. Her recent NRF Y2 rating is in recognition of her hard work. I am extremely proud of Thandekile. She is one of our future science leaders, and I will continue supporting her in her scientific endeavours at AMHBI.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Two young investigators from the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) did CPUT proud at the 1st Joint Conference of the Pan African Environmental Mutagen and Genomics Society and the Society for Free Radical Research – Africa.

PhD candidate Oiva Kamati was the winner of the Young Investigators Award: best e-poster for his poster titled: Effect of dietary rooibos on exercise-induced oxidative stress, performance and recovery.

Transdisciplinary postdoctoral fellow, Dr Donné Minné, was the winner of the best short oral presentation category by a young investigator for her talk titled: Long term implications of COVID-19 for dementia risk: in the context of early life stress - a proposal.

The online conference was held recently and AMHBI Director, Prof Jeanine Marnewick, said each category was judged by conference session chairs from Egypt, Mauritius and/or South Africa.

Kamati said his winning poster describes the research project he completed to address the question of whether Rooibos has a role to play as possible ergogenic aid?

“The study entailed a randomised, single-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover human intervention trial, where participants consumed a standardised rooibos beverage and snack before completing a set of exercises,” he explained.

“Blood samples were collected at various time points during this process to assess the potential protective and modulatory effects of rooibos on the exercise-induced oxidative stress, with an additional aim to also assess if rooibos may improve exercise performance and/or recovery after completion of the exercise regime.”

He said he was surprised when his poster was announced as the winner as it was his first time participating in an international conference.

“It really has motivated me and confirmed that the extra work and effort I had put into designing and making this poster paid off at the end of the day. This was the first-ever poster I made, and I used all resources at my disposal as well as YouTube to learn about scientific poster making and how to successfully convey my scientific message to the reader.”

Minné said her talk aimed to introduce one of their research proposals regarding the long-term implications of Covid-19 for dementia risk in the context of early life stress. 

She said the Covid-19 pandemic has several important implications for the field of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). 

“Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in old age and it is linked to an accumulation of amyloid plaques and tangles of a protein called tau within the brain. There is still no cure and although its causes are exceedingly complex, the past few decades of research have really spotlighted the role of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress,” she explained.

“Particularly pertinent to South Africa is that numerous findings suggest that early-life adversity constitutes a critical underlying mechanism through which cells in the brain alter the sensitivity of the inflammatory response that goes on to influence later-life risk for developing the disease.”

 She said this means that the heightened, sustained inflammatory responses linked to COVID-19, the so-called cytokine storm, which activate neutrophils and mononuclear phagocyte system cells to produce high volumes of oxidative stress, are primed to potentially exacerbate AD risk and possibly accelerate disease progression in the elderly. 

“Any investigation into this topic will necessarily have to be an interdisciplinary initiative, and our hopes are therefore to capitalise on our lab's existing trans-disciplinary approach to understanding disease mechanisms in dementia. Our aims are therefore to adopt a mixed-methodology design in trying to assess whether a history of Covid-19 illness and early-life stress interact to increase the risk profile for Alzheimer's Disease.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Members of the public who had to be hospitalised due to Covid-19 are invited to participate in a new study.

The collaborative study by CPUT and UCT is titled Long-term neuropsychological outcomes in severe Covid-19.

Principal investigator, Dr Donné Minné from CPUT’s Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI), explained that people who develop severe illness from Covid-19 have a much higher risk of serious neurological and mood-related disorders, particularly if they had been hospitalised. These effects can happen as a result of several pathological pathways in the body, including systemic inflammation, blood vessel changes, alterations in the blood-brain-barrier, loss of oxygen to the brain and the consequences of mechanical ventilation.

“As a result, many patients suffer lasting difficulties with memory, concentration, low motivation and anxiety. These kinds of symptoms pose a major challenge to independent living and general wellbeing and are likely to heavily impact mental health.”

She said there are, however, still many unknowns regarding the nature and trajectory of neuropsychological symptoms following COVID‐19 infection. 

“Most of the currently available knowledge comes from data collected from patients in Europe and the US during the very early phases in a person's recovery. Yet recovery from brain injury can take up to two years and is influenced by a number of individual factors, such as age, education and social support. It is therefore important that studies include patients from different backgrounds and assess cognition and mood at the one and two-year follow-up.”

The other investigators are:   Anthea Arries (MA Nursing student), Prof Penelope Engel-Hills (Health and Wellness Sciences, CPUT) Prof Jeanine Marnewick (AMHBI) and Prof Mark Solms from UCT’s Neuroscience Institute.

“Participation in the study will involve going to the newly established Neuroscience Institute at Groote Schuur Hospital for two hours during which time we will assess cognitive skills such as memory and concentration, and also request that you fill in some questionnaires about your mood and emotions,” said Minné.

All participants will receive reimbursement for travel costs and some remuneration for time. All participants will be entitled to a debriefing session with a family member at a later stage where they will receive individual feedback about their results.

To participate, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or WhatsApp 072 800 5230.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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