R1,2-million system provides boost for TB research Published weekly by the Department of Communication in the interests of better campus communication. The Wellcome Trust has provided a grant worth about R1,2-million for new equipment which will provide a major boost for research on tuberculosis by UCT's Department of Immunology . In front are Prof Bernhard Ryffel, Ms Alexandra Flemming, Ms Senate Nkhahle and Ms Penny Cashings. A grant from the Wellcome Trust enabled the University to purchase the equipment.
Tuberculosis is a major killer, particularly in developing countries.
The Department of Immunology is working with several UCT departments on the disease, along with other major agencies, including the Medical Research Council. TNF is among a range of signalling molecules called cytokines which comprise small proteins or biological factors that determine how cells of the immune system communicate with one another and interact. Scientists are particularly interested in how TNF causes inflammation and its ability to kill infected cells. They will use the new equipment for flow cytometry, described as an important technique which holds great promise for identifying, separating and counting lymphocyte sub-populations and related cells. Operators stain cells with antibodies labelled with fluorescent dye before spraying them through a narrow nozzle in a suspending medium.