Page 123 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME

Biomedical Research

and Innovation Platform

Senior Platform Director:
Prof Johan Louw
johan.louw@mrc.ac.za

Advancing Research Priorities:
Strategic Objectives and Impact
The top priority of the Biomedical Research and
Innovation Platform (BRIP) has been to advance
research on non-communicable diseases (NCDs),
with a particular focus on obesity and cardiovascular
disease. Given the growing burden of these
conditions in South Africa, BRIP is committed to
identifying and developing affordable, accessible,
and implementable interventions to treat NCDs
and improve public health outcomes.

BRIP has undertaken several key research projects.
One notable ongoing study is a randomised
controlled trial (RCT) to investigate how fibre-rich
Baobab fruit powder affects gut permeability,
microbiota composition and cardiometabolic
health in individuals with obesity. Baobab fruit is SAMRC Vevo F2 ultrasound imaging system.
rich in dietary fibre and polyphenols, both of which
have been linked to improved glycaemic control,
lipid metabolism, and gut health. The study aims to Key Milestones and Achievements
recruit 50 men and women, who will be randomly Two notable highlights during the 2024-2025
assigned to receive either active Baobab powder or financial year:
placebo daily for 45 days. This study could provide
valuable insights into the potential of natural, locally On 18 June 2024, BRIP officially launched the Vevo
available interventions to treat metabolic disease. F2, a state-of-the-art, high-resolution preclinical
ultrasound system for small-animal research. The
Through these research efforts, BRIP continues to acquisition was made possible through funding
drive innovation in NCD management, contributing from the National Research Foundation (NRF) and
to the development of locally relevant, evidence- co-funding from the SAMRC. The launch event
based interventions that could positively impact attracted 81 in-person and 60 virtual attendees.
healthcare strategies in South Africa and beyond. VisualSonics provided insights into ultrasound

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