The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) aims to enhance the lives of all South Africans. This is achieved through both conducting and funding responsive research that is aligned to the priority needs of the country. Within its ranks, the organisation boasts a wealth of esteemed researchers that are renowned both nationally and internationally, across various research disciplines.

For many years, the Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit (AGTRU) has been working on developing the use of DNA and RNA to treat and prevent serious viral infections of public health importance in sub-Saharan Africa. This gene therapy approach is based on rational design, which in turn is informed by knowledge about DNA sequences.

The Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3 (Global Health EDCTP3) Joint Undertaking has published its 2023 Work Programme with over €130 million in funding opportunities to support research into infectious diseases.

SAMRC researchers, Dr’s Darshini Govindsamy and Nwabisa Shai from our Health Systems and Gender and Health Research Unit, respectively, together with Angela Kaida (Simon Fraser University) form part of an international team that received a research award of nearly $1 million (CAD) from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

The SAMRC and the Newton Fund have a long-standing collaboration with a focus on responding to the national health priorities in South Africa. The co-funding partnership with the Newton Fund and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) funders fosters strong networks with research capacity to address critical health issues.