The Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics (MBHG) is a state-of-the-art research unit, housing two well-established research Centres, namely the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)-National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research (CBTBR) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Centre for Tuberculosis Research (CTR), within the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Additionally, our division hosts three research chairs, which form part of the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI), in TB Biomarkers, Animal TB and Mycobactomics.
Our division is comprised of over 250 staff and postgraduate students, including senior scientists, junior researchers, clinical scientists, postdoctoral fellows, PhD, MSc and BSc Honours students, MMed registrars, research technicians, research assistants, laboratory assistants, interns, nurses, field and laboratory support staff as well as administrative personnel.
The MBHG division focuses on two main research fields, namely tuberculosis (TB) and inherited genetic disorders. These fields are further subdivided into research focus areas that utilize innovative molecular techniques to bridge the gap between basic fundamental and its clinical application. The impact of this work and translation into clinically relevant tools will enable faster and more accurate health management strategies to improved patient outcomes. To this end, our division will continue to challenge dogma, develop new technologies, collaborate more widely to move knowledge forward to inform policy to improve quality of life and reduce the cost of health care.
While achieving all the above, the MBHG division continues to train the next generation of research leaders of all ethnicities, thereby redressing past imbalances and inequities, stimulating economic development through future discoveries, product development, entrepreneurial ventures and inspiring future generations to follow careers in science. In addition to this innovative research and capacity development, our division also engages with communities and patients, to provide feedback on research findings to inform and educate to improve health care behaviour and practices to reduce disease burden.
