Page 154 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

Stem Cell Research and
Therapy Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Michael Pepper
michael.pepper@up.ac.za

Advancing Research Priorities: have recently published our whole genome analysis

Strategic Objectives and Impact of the first cohort (interim analysis) and likewise are
about to submit our analysis of the proteome and
The top priority and strategic objective of the metabolome in the same interim analysis. Work
Stem Cell EMU is to identify major contributors to continues on all the omics, as well as on the ultra-
South Africa's disease burden to which principles low field magnetic resonance imaging of affected
of stem cell biology and cell and gene therapy can neonates.
be applied. This includes HIV, obesity, cancer and
newborn disease. Building Capacity Through
We aim to contribute to the understanding of disease Training, Mentorship, and Support
pathogenesis, the identification of biomarkers, and The Unit is situated in the Institute for Cellular and
where possible, the translation into cell and gene Molecular Medicine at the University of Pretoria. As
therapies. More specifically, we study haematopoiesis a university entity, our goals are to identify talented
and HIV, the relationship between obesity and cancer, post-graduate students, and irrespective of their
and the pathogenesis and biomarker identification background or needs, to provide all the support
in neonatal encephalopathy with suspected hypoxic- (logistical, financial, equipment, computational)
ischemic encephalopathy (NESHIE). and training that is necessary to achieve their
research objectives and graduate with their
Key Milestones and Achievements respective degrees.

With regard to HIV and hematopoiesis, we have
documented the significant impact that HIV-1 has Navigating the Impact of US
on hematopoiesis, particularly through its effects Executive Orders on Funding
on HSPCs in the bone marrow, which mirror aspects We are funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
of hematological aging. The reduced number of Foundation which works closely with USAID.
lymphoid progenitors seen in HIV-infected individuals When USAID was cancelled, the Foundation spent
may contribute to impaired T-cell production, thereby some time (understandably) dealing with the
exacerbating immune deficiency. implications, as a result of which we had very limited

With regard to obesity and cancer, we have identified communication. This was at a critical time when we
a novel gene that appears to be implicated in the were reappointing staff and were on the verge of
regulation of adipogenesis and obesity. We have having to let 12 members of staff go.
also studied the impact of mesenchymal stromal/ However, thankfully we were able to reestablish
stem cells on breast cancer in a mouse model of contact and secure additional funding (which is in the
spontaneous tumorigenesis and have assessed the pipeline and will hopefully be transferred soon). We
effects of 2-methoxyestradiol in this model.
have however been privy to the many researchers and
Concerning NESHIE, we closed our period of staff who have been directly affected, and live and
recruitment of 620 neonates in November 2024. We work daily in an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear.

152 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25