Supplied

File Photo: Dr. Bhavesh Kana

Senior research scientist and unit head of the Wits Centre of Excellence for biomedical TB Research Dr Bhavesh Kana, has won a R5m grant for research interventions to speed up TB diagnosis.

Kana was one of 28 biomedical scientists chosen from 760 applicants from 12 countries for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s inaugural International Early Career Scientist Award in the US.

He and his fellow scientist recipients were lauded by the Institute as they received their awards.

“These are the people who, ten years from now, we expect will be the scientific leaders in their countries,” said Robert Tjiaan, president of the Institute, adding many young scientists were hampered by a lack of funding in their own countries to continue their research studies.

Kana said this was a significant award as it would allow him to further his research in South Africa where the need for the treatment of TB was great.

His particular interest is in researching latent TB infection, a non-symptomatic or contagious bacterial infection that lies dormant in a person’s body, in order to avoid it becoming active later.

“This grant will go a long way towards my research to discover what happens with this latent bug to activate the infection,” he said.

Kana said TB, which is one of the most prevalent diseases in South Africa, could be eradicated through a multi-pronged approach to treatment and diagnosis.

His research could have a profound influence on not just South Africa but the world. “TB affects about two billion people around the world with many not aware they are carrying the bug.”

Kana received his PhD at Wits and conducted some of his post doctoral training at the Public Health Research Institute in New Jersey. He also worked in laboratories at the University of Pennsylvania, Texas University, the Russian Academy of Sciences and Harvard Medical School. The US Institute had earlier committed $60m to build the KwaZulu--Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV/Aids in Durban. - POST