UCT's Lung Institute recently celebrated fifteen years of research excellence, teaching and learning and community engagement.

From left: Associate Professors Rodney Dawson, head of the Centre for Tuberculosis Research Innovation; Richard van Zyl-Smit, head of the Lung Clinical Research Unit; Lara Fairall, head of the Knowledge Translation Unit; with Prof Keertan Dheda, head of the Lung Infection and Immunity Unit, and Emeritus Professor Eric Bateman, director of UCT Lung Institute.

The institute's research output has increased significantly in the last 10 years. It boasts the publication of 50 book chapters, 500 scientific papers in local and international journals and more than 100 in non-peer-reviewed journals and magazines.

Innovative implementation research by the Knowledge Translation Unit, one of five units housed within the institute, has resulted in the development of integrated guidelines for the management of common diseases. These guidelines have been adopted by government and are being rolled out to health workers in primary care clinics countrywide. Other examples of service to the community are a R1.2-million renovation of the Chapel Street Clinic in Woodstock, the establishment of a Smoking Cessation Clinic, and educational courses for health professionals and the public.

"It has been a privilege to be part of this novel venture within the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT," said institute director Emeritus Professor Eric Bateman. "All who have been involved with the institute should feel a warm glow of satisfaction in a job well done. Let us draw on our past successes for inspiration and even greater energy for the next 15 years."

Close on 10 000 patients have benefited from the allergy clinics operated by the institute?s Allergy Diagnostic and Clinical Research Unit. The Centre for Tuberculosis Research Innovation has to date been involved in the clinical evaluation of all significant global compounds in the search for new TB drugs. The centre is also the leading research site in the STAND study, which is investigating the first novel drug combination with the potential for treating both drug-resistant and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

Among several awards that have gone to institute researchers was the National Science and Technology Forum BHP Billiton award, given to Bateman and Professor Keertan Dheda, head of the Lung Infection and Immunity Unit, for their contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation.

A full report on the Lung Institute's activities over the last 15 years is available on www.lunginstitute.co.za.

Story by Abigail Calata. Photo by Michael Hammond.