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UCT RESEARCH REPORT 2012
Albertina and Walter Sisulu
Institute of Ageing In Africa
The Albertina and Walter Sisulu Institute of Ageing in
Africa is a cross-disciplinary group within the Department
of Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences and
incorporates the divisions of Geriatric Medicine,
Geriatric Neuropsychology, Geriatric Neurosciences and
Geriatric Psychiatry, and a Gerontology programme.
The institute strives to be an academic and research
centre of excellence that addresses critical issues of
ageing in Africa, and serves as a catalyst for local,
national, and regional expertise and a focal point for
the development of research services and training.
Its mission is achieved through inter-disciplinary and
cross-national partnerships and research collaboration,
human-resource development, and policy information
in the national context and on the African continent.
Areas in which research projects are currently conducted
at the institute include physical, cognitive and social
functioning, and quality of life; vascular risk factors and
stroke; falls in older persons and quality of care; and
dementia and risk factors for cognitive disorders.
Director: Dr S Kalula
E-mail: sebastiana.kalula@uct.ac.za
Web: http://www.instituteofageing.uct.ac.za
MRC/UCT Human Genetics
Research Unit
The group’s current focus is on the genetics of colorectal
cancer, inherited forms of blindness, and neuropsychiatric
diseases. Recent breakthroughs include identifying the
genetic basis of retinitis pigmentosa and developing
therapeutics to stem loss of vision in individuals shown to
carry thedisease-causingmutation. Agreater effort is being
put into engaging with high-throughput technologies and
the mapping of genes for common chronic disorders.
Director: Professor R Ramesar
E-mail: raj.ramesar@uct.ac.za
Web: http://www.health.uct.ac.za/research/
groupings/hgru/
MRC/UCT Medical Imaging
Research Unit
The mandate of the Medical Imaging Research Unit
(MIRU) is to conduct world-class research in medical
imaging that specifically addresses the healthcare
needs of Africa. Although located in the Western Cape,
the MIRU sees itself as a national facility, with the
responsibility of providing an imaging platform that
is available to the wider research community in the
country. Our research focuses on the role of medical
imaging in addressing problems such as trauma, cancer,
tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, neuromuscular disorders, cardio-
vascular disease, and alcohol abuse, all of which pose
serious threats to public health in South Africa. In
addition to using established techniques to address
local healthcare needs, we are developing novel imaging
methods in areas such as magnetic resonance imaging,
mammography and microscopy, which are appropriate
for our national context but will also find application in
the rest of the world. The unit has strong collaborative
links with Western Cape hospitals, the local medical
device industry, and international institutions.
Director: Associate Professor T Douglas
E-mail: tania.douglas@uct.ac.za
Web: http://www.miru.uct.ac.za/
Women’s Health Research Unit
The Women's Health Research Unit, established in 1996
in the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, is
involved in research, teaching, technical health service
support, and advocacy in the areas of women's health,
and gender and health. It is made up of a multidisciplinary
team of researchers with expertise in public health,
epidemiology, sociology, and anthropology. The unit
works closely with the national, Western Cape provincial,
and City of Cape Town Departments of Health, as well as
with other academic institutions and NGOs, in sexual and
reproductive and women’s health. Key research areas
include HIV and reproductive health, gender and HIV,
health systems research (reproductive health), female
cancers, contraception, and termination of pregnancy.
Director: Dr J Harries
E-mail: jane.harries@uct.ac.za
Web: http://www.whru.uct.ac.za
UCT/MRC Research Unit
for Exercise Science and Sports
Medicine
The UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and
Sports Medicine is part of the Department of Human
Biology, within the Faculty of Health Sciences. The
Research Groupings
associated with this theme