Biomedical Research Institute
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Biomedical Research Institute​​


THE IMPACT OF OUR RESEARCH

Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is situated in Cape Town, South Africa, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it is also one of the places with the highest incidences in the world of not only infectious diseases such as HIV and TB, but also alarmingly rising levels of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.   These major colliding and interacting epidemics adversely affects the quality of life of individuals and the economic growth of our continent as a whole. 

Scientists in our faculty's BMRI conduct research which has translated into discoveries that help improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these illnesses. Our research focuses primarily on the quadruple burden of disease in our setting, the four groups of conditions that contribute most to morbidity and mortality in South Africa, namely (1) HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases; (2) maternal and child health; (3) non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases); and (4) violence, injury and trauma.  

As an example, scientists in our BMRI have developed tuberculosis biomarkers that can make clinical predictions long before the clinical outcome is reached and others have reached new heights in cardiovascular physiology research. Our researchers are also renowned for having first detected the Beta variant of Covid-19 in late 2020. 

We to pursue excellence, remain at the forefront of our chosen focus areas, gain standing based on its research outputs, and be enterprising, innovative and self-renewing. Ultimately, our research efforts are not only aimed at academic success but also at making a significant impact in the world.  

The realisation of the Biomedical Research Institute resonates with our objective of being globally recognised for our excellence in innovation to advance knowledge in service of society.​

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