Page 94 - Research & Innovation Report 2020

HEALTH SCIENCES

and anatomical contributors to pathology. The Eastern Cape, ageing in the community to identify risk factors associated with
already facing challenges with important determinants of health adverse health outcomes. Physiological and anatomical findings
like poverty, HIV and TB, was one of the hardest hit provinces in can be further substantiated by evaluation of biochemical, genetic
South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-term effects and epigenetic markers in this population, producing high impact
of infectious diseases on health, particularly regarding metabolic studies that are relevant to the community.
dysfunction, warrants research, and the dearth of knowledge on
these conditions in African populations needs to be addressed. Departmental staff currently comprise a medical biochemist, two
anatomists and two physiologists, with more staff due to join within
The Human Biology Department’s approach to research takes into the next year.
consideration biochemical, physiological and anatomical drivers of
disease. Efforts have already begun to establish research activities Cell culture facility a first
on the Missionvale Campus as well as working towards establishing
a consultation centre for community-based research. Our cell culture facility is a first for the Faculty of Health Sciences.
In the facility, various cell types, including cancer cells, can be
A study investigating neurovascular anatomy to identify possible cultured for novel drug testing, toxicity testing and studying
secular anatomical trends in various population groups in molecular mechanisms of disease. This provides benchmark data
Missionvale is being initiated. This will evaluate premature vascular that can be extended to studies in animal or patient studies.

“The Human Biology Department’s approach to

research takes into consideration biochemical,

physiological and anatomical drivers of disease.”

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