Cultivating the next generation of scientists to accelerate beyond milestones already attained globally in developing an HIV cure vaccine was top of mind at a UKZN workshop.
The HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP) hosted the two-day HIV Cure Research Workshop at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, which attracted novice and seasoned HIV researchers.
Led by HPP Scientific Director Professor Thumbi Ndung’u, who is a professor in HIV and TB Research, and Director for Basic and Translational Science at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), the laboratory has been involved in studies of HIV-1 immunopathogenesis for more than 20 years.
It has done ground-breaking work on the role of human leukocyte antigens in the control of HIV-1 infection and on immune responses associated with partial control of HIV-1 replication.
HPP currently has six resident faculty members – Ndung’u, Professor Zaza Ndhlovu, Professor Jaclyn Mann, Dr Bongiwe Ndlovu, Dr Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi and Dr Paradise Madlala.
Madlala said his passion for research, teaching and supervising young generation scientists resulted in the workshop.
In his keynote address titled: “An Overview of HIV and Cure Research”, Ndung’u said: ‘We have made tremendous progress in HIV prevention and treatment since the beginning of the pandemic. HIV cure research is needed as a vital tool towards HIV eradication, particularly for hard-hit communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).’
He said emerging evidence indicated that some immunotherapeutic interventions, combined with other approaches such as early antiretroviral therapy may induce remission. He stressed that capacity building, infrastructure development and forging partnerships between the community, academia, South-South, North-South, and public-private entities, among others, were required to accelerate HIV cure research where it is most needed: ‘in LMICs.’
The workshop was attended by an interdisciplinary mix of local and international scientists. The College of Health Sciences’ Dean of Research Professor Anil Chuturgoon spoke on stimulating insights into UKZN’s New Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2032, the University’s Health Consortium, and the envisaged prospects of creating and investing in technology companies built on science and innovation.
Other presentations included Conducting Patient-Centred HIV Cure-Related Research by the Clinical Director of the Females Rising Through Education Support and Health (FRESH) Clinical Research and Trial Site, Dr Krista Dong; Social Science in HIV Cure Research by Dr Rujeko Chidawanyika of Belgium’s KU Leuven University; Research Perspective on Anti-Viral Drug Design and Discovery by UKZN’s Professor Mahmoud Soliman; and Pioneering an HIV Functional Cure by Professor Zeger Debyser of KU Leuven University.
The young scientists said they gained significantly when the Academic Leader for Infectious Diseases at UKZN’s School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences Professor Michelle Gordon chaired an important panel discussion focused on careers… and why science and research!
“Imaging the HIV Reservoir and the Surrounding Immune Microenvironment in Human Tissues during ART-Suppressed Clade C HIV Infection” was the title of Ndhlovu’s cutting-edge research presentation.
Madlala thanked the presenters, including UKZN Human Physiology Associate Professor Andile Khathi, who welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Dean and Head of the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences. Khathi presented an insightful overview of the ongoing research activities at the Medical School.
• South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal remain the global epicentre of HIV. This is what leads HPP’s work in support of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS’ (UNAIDS) commitment to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
Words and photograph: Lunga Memela