23 March 2018 TB under the Spotlight Science Engagement launched
On the eve of World TB Day 2018, Tuesday 20 March 2018, learners from Alfred Stamper Primary School (Worcester) participated in the launch of a unique science engagement program which aims to teach learners how TB is diagnosed, the signs and symptoms of TB, TB treatment and the inner workings of a TB laboratory.
This program which was conceptualised and presented by scientists from the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at the University Stellenbosch in partnership with the UCT based South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI) and the Department of Education, will be taken on a roadshow through the Cape Winelands District between 20 March and 25 April 2018 reaching 20 primary and secondary schools over this period.
Watch a slideshow:
Read story on UCT Website. Click here.
Read story on University of Stellenbosch Health. Click here.
During the engagement sessions, learners were shown how to extract DNA from wheat germ, which is similar to how scientists extract DNA from TB in their research how the TB bacterium behaves.
Launch: 20 March 2018
Speakers at the Launch: Dr Lizette Phillips (Dep Health), Chloe Shain (UCT), Danielle Moore (Univ Stellenbosch), Goodman Mbanda (TB Proof), Michael Whitfield (Univ Stellenbosch), Professor Glenda Gray (SAMRC), Associate Professor Tom Scriba (SATVI), and Dr Michele Tameris (SATVI).
From left to right: Professor Tom Scriba, Kelvin Vollenhoven and Marius Ameterra (CAB member)
LEarners who participated in the program.
From left to right: Michael Whitfield, Chloe Shai, Kelvin Vollenhoven; Rob Warren and Tom Scriba.
