7 September 2007
South Africa's status as a preferred international science and technology
(S&T) investment destination has been reaffirmed, thanks to the
establishment of a prestigious international research laboratory in the
country.
The Cape Town component of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering
and Biotechnology (ICGEB) will by launched by President Thabo Mbeki on Monday
(10 September 2007).
The immediate focus of scientists at this research facility will be to study
the reaction of the body's immune system to infections and chronic diseases
such as HIV/AIDS, TB, hepatitis and cancer, to make an impact on diseases that
predominate in developing countries.
Local and international researchers at the Cape Town component of the ICGEB
will attempt to unpack and understand the mechanisms, related to infections and
the insurgence of these diseases at the molecular level.
These efforts will go a long way in supporting the global search for
breakthroughs in the understanding of these diseases and could possibly also
lead to the identification of diagnostic and specific drugs and vaccines.
International organisations and governments are increasingly looking at
South Africa as a host of world class S&T facilities, thanks to the number
of well established research facilities, manned by world renowned scientists in
this country.
The Cape Town component of the ICGEB is the third such facility in the
world, with the two original components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi,
India.
The ICGEB is an inter-governmental organisation, which works closely with
the United Nations as a centre of excellence for research and training in
biotechnology and genetic engineering, giving special attention to the needs of
the developing world.
The Minister of Science and Technology, M Mangena, has expressed his joy for
hosting the ICGEB, saying it will boost the country's existing efforts to
combat the most serious threats to health and overall prosperity in the
region.
"It will strengthen our role in driving Africa's development, not only from
a political and economic perspective, but also in terms of innovation and
technology," said Minister Mangena
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has pledged R40 million, over
the next four years, to the new laboratory housed at the Institute for
Infections, Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IIDMM) at the University of Cape
Town (UCT).
The IIDMM was established in 2001 to consolidate and expand on the country's
existing initiatives to combat the most serious threats to health on the
continent. This made it an ideal host for the ICGEB with a view to ensuring a
synergy in the work of the two research facilities.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UCT, Professor Njabulo Ndebele
expressed his excitement at the announcement of UCT's selection to host the
ICGEB. "We are proud to be the host to the African component of the ICGEB
especially since it meets our vision of a leading African university."
Professor Njabulo adds, "Hosting the ICGEB will further strengthen our
efforts to train top researchers and produce excellent research, particularly
research which makes a real difference to the people of South Africa and Africa
as a whole."
According to the ICGEB, the establishment of a component in Africa was a
natural consequence of the expertise acquired in 20 years of successful
activity and is aimed at tackling the ever-increasing divide between Africa and
the rest of the world, in biotechnology advancements.
Internationally, the ICGEB aims to meet the United Nations (UN) Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and the local facility will assist with these global
efforts.
Seventy four governments worldwide are signatories of the ICGEB statutes.
The ICGEB takes a comprehensive approach towards demand-driven scientific
research and specialised capacity building, through its network of 37
affiliated centres spread around the world and more than 400 people operating
in its laboratories. This is all aimed at ensuring the safe and sustainable use
of biotechnology worldwide.
It is expected that hosting the ICGEB in South Africa will also strengthen
this country's research capabilities by training and funding local researchers
and attracting foreign scientists to our shores. Ultimately it is hoped the
Cape Town component of the ICGEB will produce new patents, products and
vaccines that will benefit everyone, especially people in the developing
world.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
7 September 2007
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)
