Page 150 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

the design and preclinical evaluation of mRNA Developing affordable, locally produced vaccine
constructs encoding disease-specific antigens. delivery systems has great potential to support
In TB studies, candidate vaccines demonstrated vaccine manufacturing in LMICs.
protective immune responses in animal models,
supporting progression towards clinical translation. Viral vector and gene therapy approaches
Research focused on the use of adenoviral and
Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) innovation adeno-associated viral vectors to prevent or treat
The Unit developed innovative ionisable lipids HBV infection. Interventions included delivery
from cashew nutshell liquid to enhance mRNA of HBV surface antigen-encoding sequences,
vaccine delivery and tackle the high cost and as well as gene-silencing and gene-editing
limited access to existing LNP technologies. Over tools such as CRISPR/Cas and TALENs. These
100 lipid compounds were synthesised and tested, approaches demonstrated strong immunogenicity
with many showing high delivery efficiency, low and sustained suppression of viral replication in
toxicity, and performance similar to SM-102, the preclinical models, highlighting their potential for
ionisable lipid used in Moderna’s vaccine platform.
clinical translation.

Organoid and infection models
The Unit developed liver organoid models of HBV
infection to address the lack of physiologically
relevant systems for evaluating therapies. These
models provide improved platforms for screening
antiviral drugs and vaccines.

C1 subunit vaccine platform
Using the highly efficient C1 fungal expression
system, the Unit developed candidate vaccines
targeting diseases such as Rift Valley fever and
brucellosis. These vaccines have advanced to
preclinical testing and contribute to efforts to
Senior researcher, Dr Kristie Bloom, sets up address threats to agricultural livestock health.
the Ambr® Crossflow (Sartorius) Tangential
Flow Filtration system for the purification
of mRNA vaccine formulations. Building Capacity Through
Training, Mentorship, and Support

AGTRU’s initiatives promote equity and inclusion
by strengthening research capacity, enabling local
innovation, and improving access to advanced
health technologies in underserved settings.
The Unit has played a leading role in training
scientists from South Africa and other LMICs
through the WHO/MPP mRNA technology transfer
programme. Training includes hands-on experience
in mRNA production, vaccine formulation, and viral
vector technologies, contributing to equitable
global research capacity and reducing reliance on
expertise from high-income countries.
PhD candidates, Ms Keila Neves and
Ms Nyasha Gorogodo (medical laboratory The Unit supports a large cohort of postgraduate
technician), at the bench working on their students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career
respective projects involving viral vector- and researchers, including individuals from historically
mRNA-based vaccine development.
underrepresented groups. Structured supervision,
mentorship, and participation in high-impact

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