Issued by: GCIS
Stellenbosch - Speaking at a function at the University of Stellenbosch this morning, Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts Culture, Science and Technology, today officially launched the 600 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer, the first of its kind in Africa.
At the launch, Dr Ngubane commented on the enormous potential that the NMR spectrometer has for developing South Africa's scientific capacities and the positive impact that the facility will have for the SADC-region and the African continent. A grant of R2 million from the National Research Foundation (NRF), an associated institution of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, enabled the purchase of the spectrometer, acquired by the University of Stellenbosch at a total cost of R5 and a half million from Varian in California.
In making the grant for the purchase, the NRF emphasised its role in "supporting national placement of equipment". Thus the spectrometer (known as the Unity INOVA 600) will be a national facility, servicing the sophisticated NMR needs of the whole South African scientific community and involving tertiary institutions around the country.
The NMR spectrometer has multifaceted potential and the newly acquired understanding of small molecules that it facilitates can be applied to the development of drugs to combat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria and others, a step that will have far-reaching implications, especially in Africa. Major advances in the field of Biotechnology, facilitated by the use of NMR spectroscopy, have occurred as it determines the nature and structure of proteins and nucleic acids and their interactions with other biomolecules.
The NMR spectrometer is the most powerful tool available to provide detailed information on complex molecular systems. It also has extensive applications in the study of catalysis and the study of natural products such as pheromes, antibiotics and mycotoxins. NMR technology will enable South Africa to better appreciate and utilise indigenous knowledge and medicines as complex ingredients can readily be researched.
Dr Ngubane reiterated his commitment to keeping South African science at the cutting edge of international scientific endeavour.
Date: 9 September 1999
Telephone number: (021) 465 4850/70
Kimberley Worthington Media Liaison Officer The Office of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology E-mail address: pd10@dacst3.wcape.gov.za Cellular number: 082 330 8946 Facsimile number: (0 21) 461 1425 Telephone number: (021) 465 4850/70
Pretoria, 10 September 1999