The IMBM research and innovation programme focuses on the use of (meta)genomics for the development of technologies to produce novel, high-value natural products for the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, food & beverage and agricultural industries, as well as products for industrial applications. The vision of the IMBM is to establish itself as a preferred technology developer in the area of natural and novel leads for these industries.
Resources and Competitive advantage:
The IMBM has collections of microbial isolates with over 3 900 strains from South African marine, medicinal fynbos and other indigenous environments. The biological resources also include a number of metagenomic libraries and environmental DNA preparations generated from a range of extreme environments. The genomes from these isolates or metagenomes are largely unexplored, and therefore harbour great potential for the discovery of novel, high-value natural compounds for product development.
The IMBM also focuses on the study of phages (bacterial viruses) and the development of phage therapies for the treatment of a range of disorders, diseases and infections. Other research investigates the use of engineered or natural whole-cell biocatalysts for a number of processes including remediation strategies for different wastewater streams including those from mines, wine cellars, olive plants and oil processing plants.
Core functions:
(i) The identification of bioactives/compounds from South Africa’s unique marine, medicinal fynbos and other indigenous environments for the development of leads for novel, natural products with applications in the industries mentioned above. The Institute employs recent advances in genomics to identify and target particular genes and secondary metabolite pathways, to investigate molecular mechanisms of interest and for the discovery of novel and natural products by revealing thousands of new biological targets for the development of novel natural products.
(ii) The translation of the Institute’s outputs into products or services that create (socio-) economic value and provide both South African and international industries and enterprises with a competitive advantage. As such the IMBM’s R&D programme is aligned with national and global challenges, and aims to deliver tangible outputs and to impact on a number of international and national priorities. The intended R&D outcomes closely fit a number of national priorities, in particular those related to science, technology and innovation (STI) and the South African Bioeconomy strategy.
For enquiries contact the IMBM Director, Prof Marla Trindade (ituffin@uwc.ac.za), or the IMBM Research and Innovation Manager, Dr Anita Burger (alburger@uwc.ac.za)