Editorial note
It is hard to believe we are in the month of March already. We wish all our readers a prosperous 2016 and success in your endeavours.
I am glad to announce that we have managed to secure Roswika Media to produce the bimonthly Nano newsletter in collaboration with the NPEP team for a 12 month period starting with this March issue.
Over the last year, we were privileged to share some of the highlights of research taking place in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology in South Africa, looking for solutions to pertinent problems in areas such as health, energy and water. We got to know some of the key researchers in the field through profiling their work in the newsletter. This issue of the newsletter shares some of the benefits nanotechnology may bring to improve the health of the people of South Africa, Africa and the whole world through the work of local researchers, and some significant events initiated by the Department of Science and Technology.
Nanotechnology within nanomedicine
Madichaba Phuti Chelopo is a 27 year old scientist who was born in a township in Polokwane in the Limpopo province. Chelopo is currently a PhD Student at North West University (NWU), majoring in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and hosted by the CSIR. She obtained a BSc degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry in 2008, BSc Honours degree in Chemistry in 2009 and MSc degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2012 at the University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN).
Chelopo focuses on the use of nanomedicine for drug delivery purposes. She explained more about herself and her line of study within the nanomedicine field.
How did you end up in nanotechnology?
I always had enormous interest in working towards the medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry fields. This was stirred by my basic degree in chemistry and biochemistry. After my MSc I wanted to learn something new. I was called for an interview at the CSIR for a PhD studentship position that I had applied for. I did not know anything about nanotechnology or nanomedicine, which was the focus of the project and I thought I wouldn’t make it.
Science and Technology Minister opens nanomaterials facility
Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor officially opened the new Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility (NIDF) in December 2015.
Delivering the keynote address at the official opening of the NIDF at the CSIR in Pretoria, Pandor described it as an important milestone in fostering innovation.
“The Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility is an important milestone in a long innovation journey,” Pandor said. “As we look forward to the impact that the facility is likely to have on economic growth, our department will continue to promote public and private sector investment in research and development.
The solution to neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDD’s) affect lives on a daily basis. These diseases are not geographically confined and their adverse effects on the human body have been, up to now, essentially irreversible. However, some significant progress may have been made towards fighting NDD’s by our own home grown South African scientists.
Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system and the nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. The progressive loss of structure or impaired function and death of neurons results in neurodegenerative diseases which include Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia and motor neuron disease.
Neurodegenerative diseases affect specific parts and functional systems of the nervous system and gradually progress over many years. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease, followed by Parkinson’s disease.
MSc Nanoscience Postgraduate programme growing in leaps and bounds
Following on the success of new research centres in nanoscience and nanotechnology established by the Department of Science and Technology, the next major step was to introduce a dedicated postgraduate programme for training in nanoscience and nanotechnology in South African Universities.
This programme also marked the introduction of a new system of collaboration between universities, where four South African universities are simultaneously presenting the same master’s degree.
Since 2012, a Master’s programme in nanoscience and nanotechnology has been offered in collaboration between the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), University of the Free State (UFS), and the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
South Africa needs to start to venture into nanotechnology commercialisation by employing sustainable models
Nanotechnology is no longer just an emerging field of science or science fiction. Many countries already have nano-products in their marketplace (Figure 1). Nanotechnology has the potential to impact many industrial sectors and every economic sector across the globe, with the market for this technology estimated to grow to as much as $3 trillion by 2020.
1st Symposium on Nanomedicine and Malaria in South Africa
On behalf of NABIO Consulting (Pty) Ltd, in collaboration with Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme (SAASTA-NPEP, www.npep.co.za), we would like to officially invite you to attend and participate in the Symposium on Nanomedicine and Malaria in South Africa (SANanoMalaria2016), which is going to be held on 26 April, 2016 @SAASTA Auditorium, 211 Nana Sita Street, Didacta Building, and Pretoria Central.
7th World Nano Conference (Nano2016)
You are kindly invited to participate or to be a speaker at the upcoming “7th World Nano Conference” (Nano2016) during June 20-22 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The main theme of the conference is “Advances in Nanotechnology. The conference will be the best platform for the Nanotechnology forum to share and exchange your ideas, and explore your research. This conference aimed to expand its coverage in the areas of Nanomaterial’s and Nanotechnology where expert talks, young researchers’ presentations will be placed in every season of the meeting will be inspired and keep up your enthusiasm. We feel our expert Organizing Committee is our major asset, however your presence over the venue will add one more feather to the crown of Nano2016.
DST-NRF Nanotechnology Symposium
It is with great pleasure to extend an invitation to all NFP grant holders, on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Research Foundation, to both attend and participate in the DST-NRF Nanotechnology Symposium in Gauteng on 27-28 June 2016.
The 6th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Africa
The 6th international conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NanoAfrica2016, will be held at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Roodepoort, SOUTH AFRICA on the 03 – 06 April 2016. The conference is jointly organised by the South African National Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi) and the Department of Physics of the UNISA.
Nanotech France 2016 International Conference & Exhibition
From 1st to 3rd June 2016, Paris will host four Nanoscience & Nanotechnology conferences, an international exhibition, an industrial forum and a brokerage event under the same roof.
Register now to one of these conferences and book your place! The registration will allow you to attend the four conferences and the other parallel activities.
Science Communication Training Programme for Female Scientists and Researchers
The Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) South African National Chapter and the British Council are requesting applications from early career female researchers and scientists for skills training on science communication and engagement. This workshop is a component of the first phase of a programme of Professional Development for Female Scientists in South Africa as part of a joint project between the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the British Council Newton Fund (UK). The project aims to support Female Scientists and Researchers to develop their skills in science communication and engagement through a year-long training programme, beginning with a 3-day workshop with a master class UK trainer in science communication and engagement.
National Science Week 2016
National Science Week (NSW), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST,) is a countrywide celebration of science involving various stakeholders and/or role players conducting science-based activities during the week.
Science Communication Training and FameLab Heat in different provinces
FameLab SA and its partners are hosting science communication training followed by FameLab heats in February and March 2016
Nanotechnology within nanomedicine
Science and Technology Minister opens nanomaterials facility
The solution to neurodegenerative diseases
MSc Nanoscience Postgraduate programme growing in leaps and bounds
1st Symposium on Nanomedicine and Malaria in South Africa
7th World Nano Conference (Nano2016)
DST-NRF Nanotechnology Symposium
The 6th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Africa
Nanotech France 2016 International Conference & Exhibition
Science Communication Training Programme for Female Scientists and Researchers
Science Communication Training and FameLab Heat in different provinces