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UCT RESEARCH REPORT 2012
through the investigation of their polymorphs, solvates,
cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and cocrystals. Solid phases
are studied using powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction,
thermal analysis (including TGA and DSC) and spectroscopy
(FTIR and solid-state NMR techniques). The thermodynamics
of inclusion and complexation processes in solution are
investigated by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and
isothermal titration calorimetry.
The MRC/UCT Drug Discovery & Development Research
Centre, H3D (Dir. Prof. Kelly Chibale) aims to bridge the
gap between basic and clinical studies, training a new
generation of African scientists with key skills required for
drug discovery and development – integrating medicinal
chemistry, biology, pharmacology as well as drugmetabolism
and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) studies as reflected in the
processes of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and
Excretion (ADME). H3-D also focuses on beneficiation of
clinically used drugs, including generic medicines. Drug
beneficiation, amongst other things, involves selection of the
optimum form of a solid drug candidate for pharmaceutical
development and (re)formulation.
The Scientific Computing Research Unit, SCRU (Dir. Prof.
Kevin J. Naidoo) develop state-of-the-art high performance
computing (HPC) software as well as providing a modelling
and informatics platform for applications in chemistry
and chemical biology. SCRU’s research activities include
the development of software acceleration for life science
applications. This aspect the unit’s research is supported by
hardware giant Nvidia Corporation. SCRU’s specialised HPC
facility houses the South Africa’s most sophisticated scientific
compute servers and GPU clusters designed for chemical
and chemical biology applications. The specific objectives
of the unit are to trace gene-to-glycan biochemical schemes
important in glycobiology as well as model enzyme catalysed
chemical reactions and ionic liquids.
The research enterprise of the Department of Chemistry
is significantly enhanced by the appointment of two of
its permanent staff members to DST/NRF South African
National Research Chairs - Professor Kevin Naidoo in
Scientific Computing and Professor Kelly Chibale in Drug
Discovery. These highly prestigious appointments have raised
the Department’s international research profile significantly
and contribute substantially to its research outputs.
Departmental Statistics
Permanent and long-term contract staff
Professors
7
Associate Professors
4
Senior Lecturers
3
Lecturers
2
Senior Scholars
2
Scientific Officers
7
Technical Officers
8
Research Staff
5
Support Staff
9
Administrative and Clerical Staff
7
Total
54
Honorary Staff
Emeritus Professors
3
Honorary Research Associates
3
Total
6
Students
Postdoctoral
26
Doctoral
51
Master’s
30
Honours
17
Undergraduates
1648
Total
1772
Research Fields and Staff
Permanent and long-term contract staff
Professor Susan A. Bourne
Inclusion chemistry; crystallography; thermal analysis.
Professor Mino R. Caira
Solid state chemistry; drug polymorphism; drug
pseudopolymorphism; drug-cyclodextrin inclusion; drug
complexation; co-crystallization; drug enantiomeric
separation.
Professor Kelly Chibale
Organic synthesis; medicinal chemistry.
Associate Professor Bette Davidowitz
Chemical education; curriculum design; writing and
communication within the discipline.