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Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票's Prof. Thulani Makhalanyane has been appointed as an Honorary Research Associate of the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), an internationally recognized institute, famous for their work on the coelacanth and other rare aquatic creatures.
Prof. Makhalanyane leads the African Microbiome Project at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票, with roots in the Department of Microbiology and the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking.
He will in particular join forces with SAIAB's chief scientist, Prof Albert Chakona, in a strategic effort to integrate microbiome science into aquatic research. The appointment will also allow for a range of joint research initiatives, student exchanges, and data sharing frameworks.
Makhalanyane says on the table are several potential projects focused on understanding the effects of pollution on freshwater systems in the area: “We are excited at the possibility of a series of collaborative projects. For example, our team is interested in understanding the effects of wastewater treatment plants on the ecology of freshwaters, and we'll be using microbiomes as sentinels of change. These types of projects are important and will help to drive societal change."
According to. Makhalanyane the African Microbiome group's research is underpinned by the “One Health" concept which recognises the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their environment: “Microbial communities play vital roles in both ecosystems and human health. Although the interconnections between the environment and health are increasingly recognised, comparatively few studies have focused on the central role of microbiomes. As a result, we lack mechanistic insights into how microbial communities function across ecosystems.
“Recent evidence shows that microbiomes underpin all United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is therefore essential to deepen our understanding of microbial processes in both natural ecosystems and host-associated environments," he concludes.?
