Page 82 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

Through Gates Foundation funding, we have
implemented assays developed by Reithera to assess
seroprevalence for gorilla adenoviruses and other
human adenoviruses in preparation for a large-scale
HIV vaccine trial starting in 2025. This work will also
feed into an ongoing study to define the mechanism
for the lack of boosting of antibody responses in
adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccines.

We focused on mechanistic studies of SARS-CoV-2.
This included a study on correlates of protection in
infection, which was published in Nature Medicine.
This study utilised a household approach and
measurements of humoral immunity to show that in Dr Jinal Bhiman. Tandile Modise.
the context of reinfection, antibodies accounted for
only 10% to 50% of protection, implicating T cells,
mucosal responses and Fc effector function as being
key for prevention strategies. This high-impact work
was led by Dr Jinal Bhiman.

Building Capacity Through

Training, Mentorship, and Support
Our primary goal is to address the critical need A slide cover of a presentation done by
for enhanced scientific expertise in South Prof Penny Moore.
Africa to strengthen public health and drive the
transformation of the nation's scientific capabilities.
The Unit is committed to building scientific human
capital and generating novel knowledge in virology, Navigating the Impact of US
immunology, and bioinformatics, with a particular
focus on tackling South Africa's unique public health Executive Orders on Funding
challenges. This mission is supported by publishing The US Executive Orders have had a significant impact
high-quality research findings in international on AIRU as the Unit had both IAVI (ADVANCE grant)
journals, allowing us to share cutting-edge scientific and USAID (BRILLIANT grant) funding cuts which
insights with the global community. have resulted in the termination of work related to
two clinical trials (IAVI-C112, BRILLIANT-B-001) with
One of our key priorities is the sustained recruitment significant research funding cuts.
of talented students to build a robust pipeline of
emerging scientists at all levels. The Unit is deeply Research Translation
invested in fostering independent research career
pathways for young and mid-career researchers Through Arts and Science
and have overseen a systematic restructuring of The University of the 3rd Age local forum in
our laboratory to create collaborative cores led by Johannesburg, invited Prof Moore to give a talk
senior scientists. Each core leader has substantial on immunology in September 2024. The talk
autonomy to develop niche platforms and projects, entitled "The Great Escape – how viruses evade
ensuring sustainability and fostering creativity. immunity". The University of the Third Age (U3A)
To further strengthen our vision, we hold annual is an international movement focused on lifelong
strategic planning meetings where senior staff learning and social engagement for retired and semi-
actively contribute to shaping the lab's direction. retired individuals, offering a variety of educational,
Seven students were supported by AIRU in 2024. creative, and leisure activities.

80 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25