As part of having a well-designed study protocol and participants giving their informed consent, it is critical that participants understand the study and its objectives to generate rigorous, high-quality research. In the PrEPVacc study, which aims at HIV prevention, potential participants experienced difficulties understanding the content in the printed Participant Information Sheet (PIS), which attempts to explain the research study procedures in the local language.

Prof Andre Pascal Kengne - Director: Non-communicable Diseases Research Unit (NCDRU) received the Sir Albert Cook Memorial Lecture Award, at the congress held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in April 2023

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.