Page 147 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Genomics of Brain
Disorders Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Soraya Seedat
sseedat@sun.ac.za

Advancing Research Priorities: has allowed us to broaden our scope of research

Strategic Objectives and Impact and build training capacity in multimodal imaging.
Several new VR projects have been planned over the
The Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit's past year to validate context-specific VR paradigms.
(GBD) top priority is to generate meaningful insights At the same time, our neuroethics research thrust
and impactful data that can inform risk prediction, has driven critical discussions on the ethical
biomarker discovery, and novel therapeutic targets implications of neuroscience research, and the
for neuropsychiatric disorders prevalent in South acceptability of neurotechnologies for research and
Africa. During the financial period, the unit has clinical therapeutic use, ensuring that investigations
tackled the challenge of understanding the genetic are responsible, culturally relevant, and equitably
and environmental contributors to psychiatric applied in South African and African contexts.
disorders, particularly in populations of African
ancestry, who remain underrepresented in global Key Milestones and Achievements
genomic research.
Prof Seedat secured a 3-year SAMRC-UKRI grant
In addition, our growing neurotechnological capacity together with Prof Eva Loth from Kings College
has provided a unique opportunity to investigate London and Prof Cilla Springer from SU for a
causal relationships between targeted neural circuits project titled "Risk and Resilience Pathways for
and objective neurophysiological responses and Transdiagnostic Mental Health Outcomes in Youth

Attendees at the South African Neuroethics Imbizo on the 1st October 2024.

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25 145