Page 87 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

tissue was recently published (Foster and Pooran et has generated several peer-reviewed publications
al., Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2025). (also in Lancet Global Health), with the principal study
Complementary studies demonstrated marked findings currently being prepared for submission.
accumulation of bedaquiline and clofazimine within CAMRA also supported laboratory technician Ms
alveolar macrophages, but not peripheral blood Olwethu Matta to complete her Honours degree in
mononuclear cells, suggesting PBMCs are a poor Clinical Pharmacology, and she is now progressing
surrogate for measuring intracellular pulmonary towards an MSc. These initiatives reflect the Unit's
drug exposure. Exhaled breath was also evaluated commitment to developing research, clinical and
as a potentially useful non-invasive approach technical expertise while creating sustainable career
for pulmonary drug monitoring. Targeted next- pathways for young South African scientists.
generation sequencing assays (COMP-SEQ study)
successfully identified drug resistance profiles Community engagement was undertaken primarily
directly from sputum, including smear-negative through the Free of TB charitable organisation in
samples, while identifying heteroresistance and partnership with Brooklyn Chest Hospital (BCH).
factors associated with successful sequencing. The During the reporting period, a purpose-built
RESILIENT-TB study demonstrated heterogeneous paediatric library was completed and handed
M.tb populations in cough aerosol isolates but not over to BCH. Equipped with books, games, and
sputum in ~10% of patients, suggesting conventional educational resources, the facility provides a
sputum testing may miss clinically important resistant stimulating environment that supports cognitive
subpopulations. development, learning, and psychosocial well-being
for children recovering from tuberculosis and its
Building capacity for next-generation pulmonary neurological complications. A new adult recreation
therapeutics. CAMRA secured approximately centre was also established, providing patients
US$2.6 million from Coefficient Giving to establish with a welcoming space containing comfortable
CREATE (Centre of Pulmonary Vaccinology and seating, music, television and recreational activities
Therapeutics), the first-of-its-kind facility in Africa to improve wellbeing and dignity during prolonged
dedicated to developing and testing spray-dried hospitalisation. Additional support included
pulmonary vaccines and therapeutics. The funding transport assistance, food vouchers, identity
supports construction of the facility, the acquisition document applications, and food parcels for
of specialist equipment, staff training, and the vulnerable patients and their families, helping reduce
development of an inhaled BCG vaccine formulation, barriers to healthcare access while addressing
creating a unique national platform for translational broader social determinants of health.
pulmonary therapeutics research and future clinical
trials. Artificial Intelligence in
Building Capacity Through Medical and Health Research
Training, Mentorship and Support CAMRA is actively integrating artificial intelligence
(AI) and data-driven technologies across its research
CAMRA is committed to developing the next programme to strengthen diagnostics, biomarker
generation of African clinician-scientists while discovery and clinical decision-making.
promoting equity and dignity through meaningful
community engagement. A major application is in our targeted next-generation
sequencing (tNGS) studies (including COMP-SEQ),
The Unit currently supports several postgraduate where AI-assisted bioinformatic pipelines enable
students and postdoctoral fellows. Dr Suzette rapid, accurate analysis of sequencing data to
Oelofse is completing her PhD through the UFO generate comprehensive drug-resistance profiles
study investigating treatment outcomes in drug- directly from clinical samples. These approaches
resistant tuberculosis. During the reporting period, have the potential to substantially reduce the time
she published two high-impact papers, including a spent on effective treatment by supporting earlier,
first-author publication in The Lancet Global Health, evidence-based therapeutic decisions.
with a further manuscript in preparation, and is
expected to submit her PhD this year. Dr Alex Scott CAMRA also employs AI- and machine learning-based
submitted his PhD on AI-based chest X-ray screening analytical approaches to integrate complex multi-
for tuberculosis in high-burden communities. His work omic datasets, including genomic, transcriptomic,

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