​​​Centre for C​​​ardio-metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA)​​

Netw​orking and Collaboration

On May 24th, 2024, CARMA hosted its first in-person symposium of the year, titled "Obesity and Cardio-metabolic Diseases: An African Perspective." The event welcomed 100 delegates and was opened by Prof. Faadiel Essop, who warmly introduced Dr. Bali Sishi, a member of the CARMA Management Committee, as Chair of the symposium.​

The he symposium featured a lineup of expert speakers, including:

1. Prof. Renée Blaauw (Division of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch University), who presented on "Body Composition as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease."
2. Prof. Julia Goedecke (Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, SA MRC), who offered valuable insights into "Waist Circumference Thresholds for Predicting Dysglycemia and Type 2 Diabetes in African Populations."
3. Dr. Hanél Sadie-Van Gijsen (Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University), who discussed her research on "The Effects of Obesogenic Feeding and the Anti-psychotic Drug Olanzapine on Adipose Tissue Function and Related Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Rats."

This engaging symposium provided a platform for knowledge exchange and highlighted pressing issues surrounding obesity and cardiometabolic health in Africa

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​Figure 1. Presenters at the symposium: Prof. Julia Goedecke, Prof. Faadiel Essop, Prof. Renée Blaauw, Prof. Hans Strijdom and Dr. Hanél Sadie-Van Gijsen. ​

Figure 2. Presenters and attendees at the symposium. ​​​​

From June 17th to 22nd, Dr Taahirah Boltman and Miss Kheya Mokoena from the MitoSAKen research group represented CARMA at the 163rd O2k-Workshop on High-Resolution Respirometry in Schröcken, Vorarlberg, Austria. During the workshop, they had the privilege of meeting Prof. Erich Gnaiger, founder and CEO of Oroboros Instruments, a global leader in high-resolution respirometry for mitochondrial research. Oroboros Instruments is active in nearly 50 countries, with over 1,000 instruments sold and more than 3,000 publications generated. Prof. Gnaiger's pioneering work has greatly advanced the field of mitochondrial physiology and respiratory control. 

The workshop equipped our team with invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience in using the Oroboros instrument to enhance their experimental techniques. They gained new skills, explored the latest advancements in the field, and participated in fruitful networking opportunities. Kheya also had the opportunity to present her preliminary research results alongside other international attendees. 

This learning experience was made possible through Prof. Hans Strijdom (Head of Division), Dr Gerald Maarman, Stellenbosch University, and the National Research Foundation.

Figure 3. 163rd O2k-Workshop on High-Resolution Respirometry: Dr Taahirah Boltman, Prof. Erich Gnaiger (CEO of Oroboros Instruments) and Miss Kheya Mokoena.​

The Division of Medical Physiology and CARMA proudly participated in the 50th Anniversary Conference of The Physiology Society of Southern Africa (PSSA), held from 25th to 28th August 2024 at the Protea Hotel Ranch Resort in Polokwane. Hosted by the University of Limpopo, the event revolved around the theme "Physiological Activism: Towards Good Health and Well-being." This platform fostered meaningful discussions, collaborations, and the exchange of knowledge among academics, professionals, and students. The  division was represented by the following members, who delivered exceptional presentations:

1. Dr. Bongekile Skosana (Senior Lecturer)
2. Dr. Taahirah Boltman (Post-doctoral Fellow)
3. Miss Megan Cairns (PhD Student)
   
4. Miss Yashthi Ramsunder (PhD Student)
   
5. Miss Thato Kgatla (PhD Student)
6. Miss Gemma Krausey (MSc Student)
7. Mr. Rudzani Ramashia (MSc Student)​
   

Miss Megan Cairns won 1st place in the prestigious Wyndham Competition, sharing this honor with Mr. D. Chetty from the University of Pretoria due to a tie (refer to ​Figure 5 below). Additionally, Prof. Hans Strijdom (Deputy Director of CARMA) received the Lifetime Career Award for his remarkable contributions to physiology (see Figure 6 below). These achievements reflect CARMS’s  ongoing commitment to research excellence and education. ​

Figure 4. The Division of Medical Physiology and some CARMA members presenting and attending the PSSA 2024 (Photo credits: University of Limpopo and PSSA).

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Figure 6. Prof Hans Strijdom with his PSSA Lifetime Career Award for his contributions to physiology.

In early October 2024, the MITO-SAKen team was pleased to host collaborators from the University of Nairobi—Prof. Frederick Bukachi, Dr Peter Waweru, and Master’s student Dr Denis Kinuthia—at the Division of Medical Physiology and CARMA. Supported by a travel scholarship, they joined for two weeks of intensive training, gaining hands-on experience with qPCR techniques as the MITO-SAKen team began its anticipated gene expression studies.

The Nobel Symposium in Physiology or Medicine, Progress and Challenges in Cardiovascular Medicine, took place at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) from October 21-25, 2024. This prestigious symposium, part of the Nobel in Africa Initiative, brought together global experts to discuss cutting-edge cardiovascular research, with a particular focus on the CVD epidemic in low- and middle-income countries. The event was convened by Prof. Göran Hansson (Karolinska Institute), Prof. Jan Nilsson (Lund University), and Prof. Hans Strijdom (Stellenbosch University).

On October 23, CARMA hosted a site visit for the symposium delegates led by Prof. Faadiel Essop (Director of CARMA) and Prof. Hans Strijdom (Deputy director of CARMA). Delegates toured BMRI’s research labs and facilities. Dr Marguerite Blignaut, as MC, introduced Prof. Essop, who shared an overview of CARMA’s key research projects. Esteemed guests Prof. Peter Libby (Harvard Medical School) and Prof. Juleen Zierath (Karolinska Institute) gave insightful talks on Clonal Hematopoiesis and Cardiovascular Diseases and Glucose Transport Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes, respectively. Dr Philip Herbst (Stellenbosch University) shared information on Tuberculous Pericarditis and novel imaging techniques. Each speaker received a small token of appreciation from the MedPhys division. Refer to Figure 8 below.

Following lunch, delegates returned to STIAS for a thought-provoking roundtable discussion on “CVD Challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries,” moderated by Prof. Hans Strijdom (refer to Figure 9 below). Invited guest speakers included Prof. Nelson Sewankambo (Makerere University), Dr Engelbert Nonterah (Ghana Health Service), Prof. Rabia Johnson (South African Medical Research Council), Prof. Fred Bukachi (University of Nairobi), and Prof. Abdallah Daar (University of Toronto).

Nine postdocs and PhD students, including Dr Taahirah Boltman and Miss Megan Cairns from the Division of MedPhys under CARMA were chosen to represent the “Young Scientist” delegation. This experience was invaluable, allowing them to engage directly with international experts on innovative approaches to cardiovascular health, particularly in Africa. Refer to Figure 10 below.

Figure 8. CARMA hosted a site visit for delegates from the Nobel Symposium on "Progress and Challenges in Cardiovascular Medicine."

Figure 9. Roundtable discussion on “CVD Challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries,” led by Prof. Hans Strijdom

 

​Figure 11. MitoSAKen Study meetings​​.

Prof. Faadiel Essop also hosted Prof. Prabha Nagareddy (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma) (refer to Figure 12 below) during November 2023 with the aim to build a strong collaboration. Prof. Nagareddy delivered a talk to staff members and following his visit he indicated his strong wish to be appointed as a visiting professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University. He is currently looking into this – together with Prof. Essop – and whether such an initiative can be funded by the American Heart Association.  In addition, there are ongoing discussions to share sample material, and to work on collaborative projects and grants. 

Figure 12. Prof. Faadiel Essop and Prof. Prabha Nagareddy​at the BMRI.​​
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Figure 13. CARMA arranged several symposia in 2023. 

For the second semester, CARMA arranged an in-person symposium that was held on the 23rd November and titled: “Cutting-edge technologies – where are we today” (refer image below). The symposium was quite successful and attracted delegates from several neighboring universities that helped to further strengthen opportunities for collaboration (refer images below for symposium advert and the main speakers together with CARMA leaders).  The symposia allowed for an opportunity to expand CARMA’s network of collaboration. Following the first symposium, Prof. Ntobeko Ntusi (University of Cape Town; incoming MRC president) met with Profs. Essop and Strijdom to discuss collaborative projects related to HIV and the onset of cardio-metabolic diseases.  As there is good overlap between these  laboratories it was agreed to work together on conjoint projects. In addition, following the second symposium researchers from CPUT (led by Dr. Dirk Bester) expressed a strong interest in becoming an affiliated member of CARMA. Subsequently, there have been several meetings between Prof. Essop and Dr. Bester’s team with the eventual aim of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement for their association with CARMA.   ​

Figure 14. CARMA arranged several symposia in 2023.  

During the middle of 2020, CARMA and the Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP) (SAMRC) reached an agreement whereby BRIP became an allied member of CARMA. 

​Network and collaboration is a key mission indicator for CARMA. We have an extensive collaborative network that includes the following partners:

• Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)
  
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (SA)
  
• Hasselt University (Belgium)
  
• Jimenez Diaz Foundation Health Research Institute (Spain)
  
• Mayo Clinic (USA)
  
• Medical University of Graz (Austria)
  
• North West University (SA)
  
• Polytechnic University of Marche (Italy)
  
• University of Cape Town (SA)
  
• University of Geneva (Switzerland)
  
• University of Nairobi (Kenya)
  
• University of Reunion (France)
• Walter Sisulu University (SA)
  
• University of Colorado (USA)
  

Part of our networking also allows for various student and staff exchanges with some of our collaborating partners. For example, an ERASMUS+ grant allowed for student exchanges between CARMA and the Medical University of Graz in 2022 and vice versa in 2023.

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