Welcome to the
Birkholtz Laboratory
We are a multi-disciplinary research group interfacing biology and drug discovery to contribute to African health innovations
About the B-Lab
PI: Prof Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
PI: Prof Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
PI: Prof Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
Lyn-Marié Birkholtz is the South African Research Chair in Sustainable Malaria Control.
In light of emerging infectious diseases, the ability to eliminate age-old scourges like malaria is even more important. Malaria is still the most lethal tropical infectious disease and is particularly devastating on the African continent. Our work foc
Lyn-Marié Birkholtz is the South African Research Chair in Sustainable Malaria Control.
In light of emerging infectious diseases, the ability to eliminate age-old scourges like malaria is even more important. Malaria is still the most lethal tropical infectious disease and is particularly devastating on the African continent. Our work focusses on solution-oriented research to create health innovations for malaria elimination and to address the societal challenges associated with the disease in South Africa and globally.
We focus on the most deadly of the human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum. We work at the interface between parasite biology and drug discovery and use the new biological insights we gain from studying different life cycle forms of the malaria parasite as a catalyst for drug discovery. We focus on the pathogenic processes driving proliferation and differentiation of malaria parasites. Our expertise lies in identifying chemical entities that block malaria parasite transmission between humans and mosquitoes. If we can achieve this, we will be able to stop the spread of the disease and as such contribute new tools to malaria elimination strategies.
Stellenbosch University
PI: Prof Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
PI: Prof Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
We are located in the Department of Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with the latest technologies and instrumentation to support cutting-edge research in analytical biochemistry & molecular biology, proteomics, high-resolution microscopy, data science and machine learning. We host a ded
We are located in the Department of Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with the latest technologies and instrumentation to support cutting-edge research in analytical biochemistry & molecular biology, proteomics, high-resolution microscopy, data science and machine learning. We host a dedicated drug discovery platform and a BSL2 parasite cultivation facility.
University of Pretoria
PI: Prof Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
University of Pretoria
The Birkholtz group formed the Malaria Parasite Molecular Laboratory (M2PL) within the Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control and hosted in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology. We host a malaria parasite biobank, drug assay platform in a BSL2 cultivation facility and comprehensive moleuclar biology technologies.
T
The Birkholtz group formed the Malaria Parasite Molecular Laboratory (M2PL) within the Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control and hosted in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology. We host a malaria parasite biobank, drug assay platform in a BSL2 cultivation facility and comprehensive moleuclar biology technologies.
The M2PL is a collaborative effort between multiple investigators including Dr Jandeli Niemand, Dr Dina Coertzen and Dr Mariette van der Watt.
Our Work
Parasite Biology
Parasite Biology
Parasite Biology
We are interested in the extraordinary ability of human malaria parasites to undergo controlled stage transition during asexual proliferation and gametocyte differentiation. We work on the most lethal of the parasites, Plasmodium falciparum.
Read more here.
Drug Discovery
Parasite Biology
Parasite Biology
We translate our understanding of the parasite's unique biology to meaningful health innovations. We are particularly interested in discovering compounds that kill gametocytes, thereby making them potential transmission-blocking antimalarial candidates.
Read more here.
RESEARCH IMPACT
Publications
Active Grants
- Sustainable Malaria Control (DSI | NRF | SARChI)
- Discovery of novel anti-malarial early leads in Africa (Grant Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator | BMGF and LifeArc)
- Transmission blocking platform for gametocyte profiling as MMV Global Test Centre (Medicines for Malaria Venture)
- 3D4D2 (M-ERA.NET EU-SA Partnership)
