Page 88 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

Members of the teams participated and hosted
training in collaboration with QIAGEN to advance
direct sputum whole genome sequencing for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, streamlining drug
resistance profiling and reducing reliance on culture-
based methods. These initiatives have contributed
to the professional development and knowledge
enhancement of staff and students at the CTR.

Navigating the Impact of US

Executive Orders on Funding
The US Executive Orders on federal funding have
created significant uncertainty and challenges for
the CTR. Key impacts include the potential loss
of funding for (nanomedicine) collaborations and
training grants, which could affect the development
of pathogen bioinformatics skills. Rejection of
travel reimbursements by the NIH and uncertainty
about the continuation of collaborations with U.S.
researchers and services, such as whole genome
sequencing, have also been noted. Delays in
obtaining CITES import permits for wildlife samples
may hinder research collaborations and outputs.

The situation is particularly dire for groups heavily
reliant on NIH funding, with potential retrenchment
of staff and collapse of long-established research
programmes if funding is not renewed. The halt
in funding applications and the postponement of
study sections for new grants further worsen the
uncertainty.

Despite these challenges, the situation has
prompted some groups to pivot, adapt, and
explore new funding sources and collaborations,
enhancing flexibility and innovation in their research
approaches. Overall, the Executive Orders have had
a profound impact, threatening the continuity and
progress of critical health research initiatives.

AMF Saldanha Bay Career expo 2024. Upington Outreach.

86 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25