Page 71 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME

Antibody Immunity
Research Unit

Unit director:

Prof. Penny Moore

Prioritising responsive research the lab and has a staff component that is 76% Female
through impactful interventions and 24% Male. Of these, 52% are Black, 31% White,
12% Indian and 5% Coloured. Prof Moore also serves
The main focus of the Antibody Immunity Research on the scientific advisory boards of several national
Unit (AIRU) is to (1) conduct HIV-related research and international capacity-strengthening initiatives.
for prevention and cure, (2) conduct SARS-CoV-2
research and (3) to expand HIV technologies and Science for creating a
platforms to other pathogens. During 2023, AIRU
continued to make key contributions to SARS-CoV-2 healthier society
research, but also regalvanised our HIV research During the reporting period, the unit has been
programme after the pandemic. The unit has also involved in several activities to promote community
expanded to other pathogens such as respiratory awareness of the research we are involved in and the
syncytial virus, Ebola, influenza and cytomegalovirus. promotion of careers in the sciences. This includes
This expansion is within the long-term vision of the allowing scholars who are considering a future
unit, which aims to translate its HIV expertise toward career in medical sciences to spend time in the unit
other viral pathogens of relevance to South Africa. job shadowing. AIRU also hosted undergraduate
Furthermore, this expansion results in the creation medical and biological sciences students for a day in
of new research niches for early career investigators. the lab where staff and students shared their different
career paths highlighting the various options
Equitable capacity development available to them if they are considering a career in
for empowering communities the medical sciences/research field. AIRU is part of
the BRinging Innovation to clinical and Laboratory
AIRU remains committed to capacity strengthening research to end HIV/AIDS In Africa through New
within the lab, nationally and internationally. vaccine Technology (BRILLIANT) Consortium, which
Teaching has continued to be a key focus of AIRU, was awarded by USAID in 2023.
which graduated 4 Honours students, 4 MSc students
and 2 PhD students during the reporting period. In The aim is to conduct HIV clinical trials in Africa,
addition, members of the unit delivered 2 plenaries, using immunogens designed and produced in
21 invited talks and 26 abstract based talks. Both staff Africa over the next 5 years. An important part of
and students participated in numerous short courses the BRILLIANT grant is community engagement and
and workshops which included Human Resources the development of materials to raise awareness
training, statistical courses, and flow cytometry and educate the public about the trials and the
training. AIRU continues to promote equity within underpinning science.

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24 69