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Research & Clinical Trials

The main focus of the SUN-IRG is directed towards the discovery of Biomarkers of TB disease, which include infection, disease progression, and treatment response. 
Another important research area is the interplay between the hormone and the immune system in the context of TB and other infectious diseases, which, up to now is a very neglected research area. The Immuno-Endocrine studies are led by Dr Katharina Ronacher kron@sun.ac.za
We are also involved in the pilot study of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) for international sites participating in IMPAACT protocols involving HAART initiation in infants and children.
As part of the research conducted within SUN-IRG we make use of murine animal models to investigate the immunological mechanisms in disease that would otherwise be impossible to perform in human studies. 

Laser Dissection and Fluorescent Microscopy (LDM)

Developments in laser technology and robotics and the integration of these into microscopes are enabling scientists to isolate single cells from paraffin-embedded tissues, archived material, cytospins, smears as well as living cells providing a mechanism for collecting pure populations of cells for the analysis of molecular function. This technology is likely to play an increasingly important role in aiding scientists to better understand normal cell function and to unravel the molecular changes associated with the development and progression of complex diseases such as cancer, neuromuscular disease and infectious disease. Laser microdissection technology represents a major advance in medical and biological research allowing the molecular analysis of individual cells and subcellular material within tissues specimen. Our Nikon laser and fluorescence microscope is equipped with the MMI CellCut tool for non-contact laser micromanipulations such as laser capturing by means of the MMI CapLift sample collection technology. Dissected samples adhere to the MMI IsolationCap allowing for the automated transfer of targets into micro centrifuge tubes, keeping the sample free from contamination and ready for downstream molecular biological analysis.??