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Microbial Innovation and Research Advancement Hub (MIRAH)

MIRAH - Microbial Innovation and Research Advancement Hub - was instituted in 2004 as a joint unit co-hosted by the South African Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). It had been partly located at the then Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit (MMRU) at The University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) and partly at the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at The University of Stellenbosch (US). More recently The Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IIDMM) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has been incorporated into MIRAH.

Bavesh Kana

Prof Bavesh Kana directs a research and innovation unit at ��ý University in South Africa. Renowned for his groundbreaking work, he focuses on developing innovative tuberculosis drugs that reduce treatment duration and minimize side effects. His efforts extend to advancing vaccine development and establishing clinical cohorts to better understand TB treatment responses and disease transmission.

Anest Reyneke

Ms Anest Reyneke’s Masters project is focused on developing robust quality control systems to enhance diagnostic accuracy and expand access to reliable healthcare, particularly in resource-limited settings. Her work reflects a strong interest in improving the reliability and effectiveness of diagnostic services.

Astika Sewcharran

Ms Astika Sewcharran’s work is focused on clinical research aimed at improving the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using specialised culture-based methodologies, with an emphasis on enhancing sensitivity and recovery from diverse clinical specimens.

Bhavna Gordhan

Prof Bhavna Gordhan is an expert in mycobacterial genetics, with a research focus on the heterogeneity of mycobacterial growth in sputum samples from individuals with TB. Her work seeks to elucidate how this variability influences diagnostic accuracy, treatment outcomes & transmission dynamics, with the goal of informing improved clinical and public health interventions.

Chandni Madhav

Ms Chandni Madhav’s doctoral research focuses on the early detection of subclinical tuberculosis through the integration of host blood biomarkers and sputum microbiome profiling. Her work leverages transcriptomics, high-throughput sequencing, and advanced bioinformatics to identify molecular signatures associated with early disease progression and risk.

Christopher Ealand

Dr. Christopher Ealand is a molecular biologist devoted to advancing the fight against tuberculosis through a combination of fundamental and translational research. His work focuses on the molecular characterization of peptidoglycan-remodelling enzymes to identify novel drug targets that could inform next-generation therapeutics.

Dale Liebenberg

Dr. Dale Liebenberg’s research focuses on engineering the mycobacterial cell wall to develop a novel TB vaccine. His work explores how targeted modifications of cell wall components can alter host–pathogen interactions, enhance antigen presentation, and improve the induction of protective immune responses.

Danishka Moodley

Ms Danishka Moodley is investigating the role of peptidoglycan amidation in Mycobacterium smegmatis through the construction and detailed characterisation of an asnB knockout mutant. Her work involves generating targeted gene deletions and applying a combination of molecular, microbiological, and phenotypic assays to assess the impact of asnB loss on cell wall integrity and growth dynamics.

Dhanishta Patel

Ms Dhanishta Patel provides essential scientific research and testing support across multiple clinical projects. She contributes to experimental work, oversees sample preparation, manages data, and coordinates the procurement of laboratory consumables, ensuring the efficient and seamless progression of project activities.

Nday Lucie Sungu

Ms Nday Lucie Sungu’s work supports research in bacteriophage-based strategies to combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis. She applies a range of molecular biology and microbiological techniques to investigate phage-host interactions, contributing to a deeper understanding of their mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Her work involves experimental design, data generation, and analysis.

Serene Keenan

Ms Serene Keenan provides hands-on support across multiple clinical research projects focused on understanding Mycobacterium tuberculosis physiology. She is also actively investigating and optimizing bacterial recovery from non-respiratory specimens, including oral swabs, to improve tuberculosis diagnosis.

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