Displaying items by tag: UWC

The Nanobiotechnology Research Group in the Department of Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape herewith invites potential students to enrol for an NRF-funded PhD or MSc degree to develop drug delivery systems for obesity. If interested, you may start either in the second semester of 2019 or the beginning of January 2020.

Research background:

Obesity is a complex metabolic disease that poses serious public health problems worldwide. It is a risk factor for various life threatening chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and osteoarthritis. Treatment of obesity using anti-obesity drugs, is limited by their non-specificity, and most of them have been withdrawn from the market due to severe adverse side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of safe and effective drugs and treatment approaches in order to curb the obesity epidemic.

Our lab and others have shown that inhibiting angiogenesis by targeting a protein expressed on dysfunctional cells lining the blood vessels represents a promising strategy for obesity treatment. However, this strategy is limited by the use of only one targeting peptide. Thus, we want to discover other novel, specific and selective targeting agents to use for obesity treatment.

Research project:

An in vivo model of obesity will be used to isolate potential targeting molecules. These agents will further be validated in cell culture for use as active targeting agents for obesity treatment. The selected agents will then be used to develop drug delivery systems for obesity treatment.

Studentships:

Studentships (MSc and PhD) with bursary funding for South African citizens are available. Experience in either cell biology, histology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacy or molecular biology (especially PCR) is required.

Interested students must contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ASAP, by providing a CV, application letter, ID copy and transcripts.

The Institute for Microbial  Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM) is a leading research unit based within the Department of Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Our research employs culture-based approaches as well as cutting edge  ”omics”  strategies to study microbiomes and identify novel biosynthetic gene clusters and metabolites.  The Institute focuses on the research and development of novel,  high - value natural products for the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, food and beverage and agricultural industries, as well as products for industrial processes.

MSc and PhD POSITIONS AVAILABLE 1. Expression and characterization of an endolysin from a novel Paenibacillus larvae phage, and its assessment as a phage therapy against AFB disease which affects the Western Cape honeybee, in collaboration with the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. 2. Genome sequence analysis of a marine isolates that produce potent activity against the ESKAPE pathogens, in collaboration with academic and industry partners. 3. Characterisation of anti-cancer activity produced by a marine isolate: a genomic and chemical approach, in collaboration with MEDINA (Spain). 4. The investigation of bacteriophages associated with Chryseobacterium and their potential in combating food spoilage. Novel enzymes and compounds produced by Chryseobacterium will also be investigated. Minimum requirements: BSc Hons, MSc, or an equivalent qualification, with a minimum average score of 60% and a major in either Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or Genetics. Only South African citizens can be considered. Additional requirements: Experience and skill in molecular biology techniques; responsibility, reliability, good problem solving, time management, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, as well as computer literacy are absolute requirements.

Application Submission: Applicants are to submit their CV and covering letter to Prof Marla Trindade:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 9 January 2019.

The Institute for Microbial  Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM) is a leading research unit based within the Department of Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Our research employs culture-based approaches as well as cutting edge  ”omics”  strategies to study microbiomes and identify novel biosynthetic gene clusters and metabolites.  The Institute focuses on the research and development of novel,  high - value natural products for the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, food and beverage and agricultural industries, as well as products for industrial processes.

TWO POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE: 1. As part of 2 EU-funded consortia (PharmaSea and Ocean Medicines), this project focuses on marine bacteria shown to produce anti-convulsant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial or anti-inflammatory activities. Through genome sequencing and genetic engineering strategies in parallel with chemistry-guided isolation, we aim to: i) link novel metabolites to the biosynthetic pathways encoding them, and ii) develop over-expression strains for target pathways and compounds. 2. We are developing a portfolio of biosurfactants for use in a variety of industrial processes. The project involves the isolation and characterisation (chemical, structural and performance) of novel biosurfactants, as well as the upscaling of biosurfactant production. Minimum Criteria: Applicants must have completed a PhD degree within no more than 5 years in a foundational discipline relevant to the topic. Experience in natural product discovery and genomics is an advantage. Applicants should have a strong publication record, interpersonal skills, project management experience, and be able to effectively conduct research as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Application Submission: The candidate will be under the supervision of Prof. Marla Trindade who holds a DST/NRF Research Chair in Microbial Genomics. Applicants are to submit their CV and covering letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 9 January 2019.

From 1 April 2018

The Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM) is a leading research unit based within the Department of Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The Institute is a global competitor in microbial biotechnology and metagenomics and is committed to excellence in research and the training of future research leaders. Its research encompasses a number of disciplines including microbiology, (meta)genomics, molecular biology, enzymology and bioinformatics, and employs culture-based approaches as well as cutting edge ”omics” strategies to study microbiomes, and identify novel biosynthetic gene clusters and metabolites. The Institute focuses on the research and development of novel, high-value natural products for the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, food & beverage and agricultural industries, as well as products for industrial processes.

Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics
University of the Western Cape
South Africa

The Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM) is a leading research unit based within the Department of Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The Institute is a global competitor in microbial biotechnology and metagenomics, and is committed to excellence in research and in the training of future research leaders. Its research encompasses a number of disciplines including microbiology,(meta)genomics, molecular biology, enzymology and bioinformatics, and employs culture-based approaches as well as cutting edge ”omics” strategies.

Announcing an available 'sandwich' PhD opportunity between UWC and the University of Wageningen, Netherlands. Interested candidates must apply to Prof. Marla Trindade by 17 April 2015: e-mail - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: +27 21 959 9725. Please note that only South African citizens are eligible. Further information about the sandwich program click here.

The Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM) is a leading research unit within the Department of Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape. IMBM is committed to being a globally competitive institute through excellence in research and in the training of future research leaders, and hosts the DST/NRF SARChI research chair in Microbial Genomics. The core research objective of the Institute is to develop Microbial Biotechnology, through complementary aspects of Microbial Biology. Current research interests within the Institute include Environmental and Industrial Microbiology, Metagenomics, Applied Genomics, and Marine Biotechnology. IMBM is accommodated in the new Life Sciences Building, providing state of the art research facilities and equipment. These include the Next Generation Sequencing Facility and other “omics” related technologies.