UKZN’s HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP), a centre of research excellence under the leadership of world-class scientist Professor Thumbi Ndung’u, supervised five young researchers who graduated with Master of Medical Science degrees on 8 May.
Supervised by Dr Paradise Madlala, Ms Sindiswa Bhengu, a self-described “village girl” from eMaswazini just outside Pietermaritzburg, received her Master of Medical Science in Virology for her study that characterised the expression profile of an intracellular antiviral protein called TRIM22 in an acute cohort of HIV-1 uninfected and infected individuals within an HPP and Female Rising through Education, Support and Health (FRESH) project. The findings suggest that individuals with high TRIM22 mRNA expression will exhibit lower basal transcription and therefore lower viral load. ‘These findings have implications for therapeutic interventions to address HIV infection,’ said Bhengu.
She said that she is immensely grateful for the opportunity to study under the guidance of the HPP and to have been supervised by a committed and motivated supervisor.
‘I am now a flow cytometry research assistant at the HPP. To everyone who is unsure, take the journey, the view from the top is breathtaking, and in the end, it is all infinitely worthwhile,’ said Bhengu.
Ms Kasmira Gopee who was also supervised by Madlala, graduated cum laude.
She was awarded a National Research Foundation (NRF) Masters Innovation and Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF) scholarship to investigate the genetic heterogeneity of the HIV latent reservoir, which is the main barrier to the development of a cure. ‘One current strategy to eradicate the latent reservoir is the “shock and kill” one, which involves using pharmacological latency-reversing agents (LRAs) to awaken the latent virus at the viral transcriptional promoter (LTR),’ she explained. The study’s findings are a step towards understanding the mechanisms for latency reactivation using LRAs.
Gopee gave thanks to God and her parents for her academic success.
A medical plant enthusiast from Milbank in Limpopo, Mr John Makhwitine’s master’s research was supervised by Dr Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi. He employed an epigenetic modifier, sodium butyrate, to induce the secretion of secondary metabolites with anti-HIV activity. Through collaboration with the HPP, he tested fungal extracts for cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activity.
The study found that activated P. chrysogenum secreted more secondary metabolites and is a promising source of anti-HIV inhibitors. It highlighted epigenetic modification as a potential tool to screen bio-control agents for the discovery of new bioactive compounds. ‘The results provide valuable insights into exploring microbial compounds as sources of anti-HIV activity in drug discovery and development,’ Makhwitine explained. He has submitted an article to the Microorganisms Journal.
Makhwitine said he was grateful for support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka Grant and the Poliomyelitis Research Foundation. He is registered for a PhD under UKZN’s Antimicrobial Research Unit, where he is focussing on antimicrobial resistance in vulnerable communities utilising culturomics and metagenomics.
‘We are often scared to follow our dreams and aspirations because we fear the uncomfortable feelings that come with growth and ultimately the possibility of failure,’ said Ms Ntokozo Ntshangase, whose study was co-supervised by Dr Bongiwe Ndlovu and Ndung’u.
Her study mapped the specificity of an acutely infected participant who developed HIV-1 broadly neutralising antibodies. The findings included the characterisation of an unusual mutation which was further assessed on previously isolated monoclonal HIV-1 broadly neutralising antibodies. ‘The findings will inform future development of an HIV-1 preventive vaccine,’ said Ntshangase. She added that she looks back with pride on her tenacity and resilience despite the challenges that came with pursuing her studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Born and bred in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, Mr Bruce Nzimande’s study which was co-supervised by Dr Sizwe Ndlovu and Mkhwanazi used laboratory techniques including cell culture, cell viability assays, luciferase-based assay, solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to profile secondary metabolites produced by fungal endophytes for use as anti-HIV compounds. The study provided insights on the use of natural products for drug development.
Nzimande said he is thrilled to have published a scientific paper in a high-impact factor peer-reviewed journal, Frontiers in Genetics, in 2022. He said he was also a first author of a review paper that his research team submitted to the Viruses Journal, which is currently in print. ‘The highlight of my career was exposure to diagnostic pathology at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) in Africa’s largest hospital Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg. I am currently exploring career opportunities within the field of Clinical Pathology at the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Biomedical Science,’ he said.
Ndung’u said: ‘It has been a great pleasure to work with these outstanding and dedicated students. I have no doubt that they have a bright future. They have contributed to important HIV research and we heartily congratulate them and their families on their wonderful achievements.’
Words: Lunga Memela
