SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research

24/11/2025

Wonderful to host the SA Medical Research Council President and CEO, Prof Ntobeko Ntusi in the Chegou lab within the SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research and Division of Immunology, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

We had amazing discussions towards translation of our basic science into development of tools to combat TB.
Congratulations to the talented members of the Chegou Lab, among many other groups in our Unit, for all the beautiful work on development and testing of TB biomarkers that hold promise for diagnostics at point of care

21/11/2025

Meet Speakers from the SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research in the Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, who are scheduled to present today (Day 4 - 21 Nov) at the Union World Conference on Lung Health, Copenhagen.
It's been a great week of Science and interactions/discussions among global leaders in TB/Lung Health research in the beautiful, snowy Copenhagen! And so exciting following all the great research work from multiple groups in our Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics and Division of Immunology

19/11/2025

The 2025 World Conference on Lung Health is underway in the beautiful Copenhagen! We have a great representation from a number of research groups within the SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, spanning across the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics and the Division of Immunology at Stellenbosch University.

Meet our speakers and their time schedules for Day 2 (Wednesday, 19-Nov)

01/09/2025

📢 Special Seminar Alert!

We’re honoured to host Prof Eric Rubin (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health & Editor-in-Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine) for an in-person seminar at the BMRI.

🗓 3 September 2025
⏰ 09:30 – 10:30
📍 BMRI, Room 1013, Tygerberg Campus

Prof Rubin will be speaking on “The challenge of human challenge in Tuberculosis & Can you believe what you read?” — a session not to be missed!

06/08/2025

17/07/2025

🔬✨ to a week of white coats, big questions and breakthrough moments! 💥

Earlier this month, we welcomed 20 enthusiastic future scientists from high schools across Cape Town to Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Biomedical Research Institute for the Generation Science 2025 Job Shadow Programme.

This immersive experience, hosted by the Societal Impact Task Team in collaboration with the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Division of Immunology, Division of Clinical Anatomy, Stellenbosch University, Division of Medical Physiology and CERI, gave learners hands-on exposure to lab life, real science challenges, and a glimpse into what it means to become a biomedical researcher 🥼🧬🔬

From organ pancakes to DNA mysteries, forensic bones to scientific speed dating, these future scientists observed, engaged, experimented, and explored💡🧫🧪The purpose of the programme is to inspire and nurture diverse young talent in , reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and access for all learners passionate about science.

➡️ Get ready for 2025, coming this October! Details on how to apply will be shared soon on our socials — so make sure to follow us and stay connected.

11/07/2025

🚨 Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity 🚨

The SU Immunology Research Group is inviting applications for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship focused on investigating the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sarcoidosis.

This exciting opportunity, based within the at the Biomedical Research Institute ( ), is ideal for candidates with a PhD (obtained in the past 2 years) and advanced experience in molecular biology techniques, mass spectrometry, and BSL3 lab work.

🧬 Be part of cutting-edge research at the intersection of TB and interstitial lung disease, contributing to meaningful discovery and clinical collaboration.

🗓 Applications close: 31 July 2025
📲 For more info & to apply, visit the link in our bio.

26/06/2025

We’re proud to celebrate the participation of researchers Prof Novel Chegou, Prof Andre Loxton and Dr Bongani Motaung, at the prestigious 12th EDCTP Forum in Kigali, Rwanda — representing the exceptional work emerging from the CTR.

Hosted jointly by the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics and Division of Immunology at Stellenbosch University, the SAMRC CTR reflects the power of strategic partnerships between the SAMRC and SU to drive impactful, African-led health research.

From advancing TB diagnostics to innovating targeted interventions, the work of researchers like Prof Chegou and Dr Motaung demonstrates how collaboration fuels excellence and positions the global south as a leader in scientific discovery and innovation.

Together, we are building a resilient research ecosystem for Africa, by Africa.

At the SAMRC, we celebrate the capacity of collective minds working towards a common goal of improving health for all, with partnership and collaboration, being core to our mission and vision. Several of our scientists and researchers participated in the 12th EDCTP Forum in Kigali, Rwanda sharing their work and expertise under the theme “Better Health through Global Research Partnerships”.
SAMRC Vice-President, Prof Liesl Zühlke said “We must strive to make this time an opportunity to ensure a resilient African-led research ecosystem putting partnerships built on equity, trust and justice at the core of health research.”
https://www.samrc.ac.za/news/better-health-through-global-research-partnerships-samrc-participates-12th-edctp-forum-2025

08/05/2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 Generation Science (GenS) Job Shadow Programme 🥼🧪🔬

Are you a Grade 10–12 learner curious about a career in science? Join us from 30 June to 4 July for a week of hands-on lab experiences, mentorship, and behind-the-scenes insights into the world of biomedical research 🧫🧬⚗️🫁🫀

Don’t miss this chance to explore your future in science! Apply now via at https://blogs.sun.ac.za/mbhgblog/job-shadow/ before the closing date in 23 May at midnight.

12/04/2025

We are proud to welcome Associate Professor Mohlopheni Jackson Marakalala as the new Unit Director of the South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research at Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Prof Marakalala brings with him a wealth of expertise and leadership in TB research, and we look forward to this exciting new chapter under his guidance.

We’re eager to see how his vision will shape the Centre’s research agenda and the impact we will achieve together in the fight against TB.

Welcome, Prof Marakalala!

Read more at 🔗

Leading TB researcher Prof Marakalala appointed as new CTR Unit director The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Stellenbosch University (SU) are pleased to announce the appointment of Associate Professor Mohlopheni Jackson Marakalala as Unit Director of the SU/SAMRC Centre for Tuberc...