Non-invasive imaging equipment at Maties a first in Africa

The non-invasive two-dimensional scanner, which only a handful is already in use in laboratories across the globe, enables researchers to better visualise, track and understand biological processes in living animals.

The IVIS makes the dissection of test animals unnecessary.
Its scanning technology makes it possible to monitor the interaction between micro-organisms and living cells, as well as the effect of various pharmaceutical agents on microbes or cells in any organ of the test animal.
This is an invaluable tool for research on the effect or influence of pharmaceuticals, supplements and preservatives on living cells. It also assists cancer research, as well as studies on infectious diseases, metabolic diseases and inflammatory illnesses.

The generic pharmaceutical company Cipla Medpro made a significant contribution towards the acquisition of the R1,3 million system.

The system will support the future research of Prof Leon Dicks of the SU Department of Microbiology on already patented antimicrobial peptides and probiotics.

“We are now able to see the immediate effect of micro-organisms, toxins and therapeutic agents on our test (laboratory) animals without having to do post-mortem biopsies,” explains Prof Dicks. “This also means that we treat the same animal over a longer period to better monitor the effect of the agent.”

The system includes a scanner, a thermo-electric cooled camera, a gas anaesthetic system, as well as a computer with a high definition screen and advanced software.

Sedated laboratory animals are placed on a glass bed and given a full-body scan. The scan registers signals of fluorescent reporter genes which have been placed in specific sites of the plasmid or genome of the cell being monitored. After being monitored, the test animals are placed back into their experimental cages to be evaluated at a later stage of the experiments.

The IVIS can be applied to many fields of research. Prof Dicks, for instance, develops safe natural antimicrobial peptides to be used as an alternative or supplement to antibiotics. His team recently developed an international patented peptide to treat middle ear infection and upper respiratory infections.

His research is driven by the fact that disease-causing bacteria are becoming increasingly more resistant to antibiotics.

The SU Department of Medical Biochemistry have also already used the system to study tuberculoses. This is a spin-off from Prof Dicks' research on antimicrobial peptides to combat sinusitis-causing bacteria.

His team also looks at the influence of probiotic lactic acid bacteria on the immune system. They have also joined forces with the SU Department of Genetics to study the production of antimicrobial peptides from lactic acid bacteria with the help of plant viruses. This could help combat plant diseases.

If funds become available, Prof Dicks also wants to embark on a more extensive project to suppress tumours, especially cancer tumours, with the help of specific probiotic strains.

The system can also be used by the food industry to detect early signs of food spoilage. It also assists research on the effect of preservatives.

“Cipla Medpro's support of the research done by Prof Dicks is driven by our focus on new technologies to provide cost-effective, high quality medicines to all South Africans,” says Dr Pieter Potgieter of Cipla Medpro.

Cipla Mepdro was established 14 years ago as a private company and is today the third largest generic company in South Africa. Based on turnover (rand value) it is the 8th largest pharmaceutical company in South Africa. It has been listed on the JSE since 2006 through its holder company Enaleni.

For further information:
•Prof Leon Dicks, Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University
Tel: +27-21-808 5849 lmtd@sun.ac.za

•Dr Pieter Potgieter, Cipla Medpro
•Tel: +27-21-943 4200

Also visit http://www.sun.ac.za/News/NewsItem_Eng.asp?Lang=2&ItemID=12716 for a press release (September 2007) about the nique development and international patent registration of a natural bacteria-killing peptide that can be used as an alternative to certain antibiotics in the treatment of sinusitis and middle ear infection.