Page 51 - SAMRC Annual Performance Plan 2026-27

Table 14. SAMRC Extramural Research Units’ purpose

EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH UNITS
Unit Strategic Focus

Antibody Immunity Research To conduct research on the development of new vaccines and new approaches
Unit to controlling infectious diseases. The Unit’s research seeks to establish a deeper
understanding of antibody responses to infection to design better vaccines for the
African region which bears the largest burden of infectious disease. Key focus areas
are identifying antibody correlates of vaccine protection, uncovering the genetic
diversity in the African antibody repertoire and isolating and engineering antibodies
for passive immunity.

Antimicrobial Resistance and To conduct research on microbial, human, and environmental determinants of the
Global Health Research unit acquisition and transmission of antimicrobial resistance. The Unit collaborates with
community and policy makers to enhance our understanding of the dynamics of
antimicrobial resistance for improved antimicrobial resistance stewardship.

Antiviral Gene Therapy To challenge the emergence of viral infections that cause serious health problems
Research Unit in Sub-Saharan Africa. The long-term objectives of the unit are to advance gene
therapy for treatment of viral infections, develop human capacity in the field
through the training of young scientists, and to translate the unit’s technologies into
products.
Cardiometabolic Health To provide a platform from which a team of researchers collaborate to provide
Research Unit an integrated research programme focusing on cardiometabolic traits (obesity,
diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney diseases); all
with respect to inflammation, genetics, epigenetics, microbiome and oxidative
mechanisms. The aim of the unit is to employ a holistic approach to investigate the
context specific factors associated with diabetes and related cardiometabolic traits.
Centre for Health Economics To undertake rigorous and comprehensive analytical work to provide evidence
and Decision Science Research to guide priority setting for health in South Africa. By applying innovative priority
Unit setting approaches, the Unit aims to support evidence-based resource allocation
decisions in a fair and equitable way under the proposed National Health Insurance
(NHI).
Centre for the Study of To address specific aspects of bacterial multi-drug-resistant pathogens, including
Antimicrobial Resistance tuberculosis. The unit’s key focus areas are to better understand the pathogenesis
Research Unit of drug resistance by studying pharmacokinetic mismatches, conduct preliminary
studies to determine the levels and efficacy of adjunct inhaled antibiotics at the
disease site in TB and MDR bacterial pneumonia, and to develop and test inhaled
formulations for future animal and human studies.
Child and Adolescent Lung The Unit’s primary focus is on child lung health and the intersection of infection with
Health Research Unit emergence of chronic non-communicable diseases, addressing lung health from
birth through adolescence. Studies focus on the epidemiology, aetiology and risk
factors for acute and chronic lung disease and the impact of acute disease on child
health and on development of chronic disease.
Developmental Pathways for To investigate genetic, physiological, psychosocial and lifestyle determinants of
Health Research Unit growth and development, risk of disease, and healthy ageing across the life course.
Drug Discovery and To establish a scientific infrastructure as well as capacity for drug discovery and
Development Research Unit development in the broad sense. Develop infrastructural and operational systems
for new drug discovery and development. Attract young South African and African
scientists thereby contributing to transformation and capacity building. Provide
career development opportunities for independent academic and/or research
careers.

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