4 the state of science in south africa
C H E M I S T R Y
mer technologies and support for existing first such example relating to the appetite
chemical plants. The fine-chemical research suppressing properties of the Hoodia cac-
resulted in new plants for food additives tus and the potential for use against obesity
(such as the anti-oxidant tertiarybutyl hy- (see above); investigations in this area are
droquinone (TBHQ)), new approaches for continuing. Many of the current activities
the preparation of aroma chemicals (va- of the biosciences operating unit stem in
nillin, carvone, raspberry ketone etc.), and fact from earlier ones, and the bioprospect-
approaches to generic pharmaceuticals ing group is at present evaluating potential
(naproxen, paracetamol and antihelminth- new plant-based anti-malarials, anti-asth-
ics etc.), many of which pioneered the new matic/anti-inflammatories and possible
(to South Africa) approach of incorporating retrovirals amongst other activities. The
both chemical and biological steps in a sin- processing section has recently contributed
gle process. After its absorption by the CSIR, towards the development of a new natural
this activity became the first CSIR Division sweetener, monatin, that is licensed and
of Biological and Chemical Technologies currently under evaluation for human use.
(Bio/Chemtek).
Major changes in the activities of the CSIR
During the period of evolution from one of began in 2005 as a result of the already
the initial groups to becoming a compo- described internal review termed ‘Beyond
nent of the current CSIR Biosciences operat- 60’. The review resulted in a realignment
ing unit, there were active chemistry groups of the organisation with its mandate, and
in the CSIR Division of Food Technologies Bio/Chemtek became Biosciences with a
(Foodtek), the CSIR Bio/Chemtek and, as a renewed interest in human health, particu-
result of a merger between these two divi- larly tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria. This
sions, the CSIR Division of Food, Biological emphasis took the form of the discovery
and Chemical Technologies (also known as and development of new molecular enti-
Bio/Chemtek). ties as potential future therapeutics, an area
poorly serviced in South Africa. This activity
After the dissolution of the NCRL and be- can be seen as complementary to the activ-
fore the creation of Bio/Chemtek, the em- ities of the Medical Research Council with
phasis on synthetic chemistry in the CSIR its more clinical focus. As a result of this fo-
declined significantly. Natural product cus, CSIR Bioscience has two series of novel
chemistry, however, continued unabated anti-malarials (operating at sub-nanomolar
through the advent of ‘bioprospecting’ levels) that are entering the development
activities (assessing the commercial and phases, a series of inhibitors of a novel bac-
pharmaceutical potential of South Africa’s terial kinase target and non-nucleosidic
natural resources). This activity is believed HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors active
to be the first example in the world where against both the isolated enzyme and on a
benefit sharing agreements were signed cellular basis.
with holders of indigenous knowledge, the
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