NEWS SPOTLIGHT



the gem



the gem



CERI news

KRISP NEWS


the gem: genomics, epidemics & microbes - Aug/Sep 2024

the gem is a monthly magazine produced by CERI at Stellenbosch University, KRISP at UKZN and SACEMA. The objective is to provide stories of world class African science that impact lives and train the next generation of scientists in Africa.


Oropouche Virus - a new virus associated with climate change emerge in Brazil

A new virus emerge from the Amazon Forest Basin and is spreading in Latin America text: Iani et al. medRXiV, 2024.08.02.24311415v2


28th VEME is delivered as a successful workshop in Brazil 2024

The world’s most advanced genomics and bioinformatics training on virus evolution and molecular epidemiology (VEME) was hosted in Brasília in parnership with FioCruz, Brazilian Ministry of Health, PAHO & CERI


CLIMADE Keynote Summit at Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit

The second Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit (GPPS), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 29 to 30, 2024, brought together leading experts and global leaders to confront the growing challenges posed by pandemics in an era of climate change.


CERI & KRISP expands partnership with AIMS & Google DeepMind

As we graduated the first batch of MSc students and continue to support PhD AI students, our partnership with AIMS and Google Deep-Mind expands


Microbial Ecology ISME 19 - first time in Africa

First Time in Africa in Over 40 Years: from borgs, to climate change and African microbiome network, a historic event happens in South Africa: The 19th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME19).


Public Engagement: Climate Change and Microbes

This event, held at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on 21 August, was organized by the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) in collaboration with the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University. It drew an audience of over 150 high school learners, teachers, community leaders, and members of the public, offering an opportunity to explore the vital role of microbes—including bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses—in relation to climate change.


PUBLICATIONS SPOTLIGHT


Nature Medicine


Nature


Science

KRISP SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS


Sustained Human Outbreak of a New MPXV Clade I Lineage in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Vakaniaki EH, Kacita C, Kinganda-Lusamaki E, O'Toole Á, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Mukadi-Bamuleka D, Amuri-Aziza A, Malyamungu-Bubala N, Mweshi-Kumbana F, Mutimbwa-Mambo L, Belesi-Siangoli F, Mujula Y, Parker E, Muswamba-Kayembe PC, Nundu SS, Lushima RS, Makangara-Cigolo JC, Mulopo-Mukanya N, Pukuta-Simbu E, Akil-Bandali P, Kavunga H, Abdramane O, Brosius I, Bangwen E, Vercauteren K, Sam-Agudu NA, Mills EJ, Tshiani-Mbaya O, Hoff NA, Rimoin AW, Hensley LE, Kindrachuk J, Baxter C, de Oliveira T, Ayouba A, Peeters M, Delaporte E, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Mohr EL, Sullivan NJ, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Nachega JB, Rambaut A, Liesenborghs L, Mbala-Kingebeni P, Nature Medicine (2024), doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03130-3:.



Associations of inter-annual rainfall decreases with subsequent HIV outcomes for persons with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Southern Africa: a collaborative analysis of cohort studies.
Trickey A, Johnson LF, Fung F, Bonifacio R, Iwuji C, Biraro S, Bosomprah S, Chirimuta L, Euvrard J, Fatti G, Fox MP, Von Groote P, Gumulira J, Howard G, Jennings L, Kiragga A, Muula G, Tanser F, Wagener T, Low A, Vickerman P, BMC Infect Dis (2024), doi: 10.1186/s12879-023-08902-9:.



Convergence of HIV and non-communicable disease epidemics: geospatial mapping of the unmet health needs in an HIV hyperendemic community in South Africa.
Cuadros DF, Devi C, Singh U, Olivier S, Castle AC, Moosa Y, Edwards JA, Kim HY, Siedner MJ, Wong EB, Tanser F, BMJ Glob Health (2024), 9(1):e012730. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012730:.



The impact of a conditional financial incentive on linkage to HIV care: Findings from the HITS cluster randomized clinical trial in rural South Africa.
Kim HY, Inghels M, Mathenjwa T, Shahmanesh M, Seeley J, Matthews P, McGrath N, Adeagbo O, Gareta D, Yapa HM, Zuma T, Dobra A, Bärnighausen T, Tanser F, medRxiv [Preprint] (2024), 2024.03.15.24304278. doi: 10.1101/2024.03.15.24304278:.



HIV transmission dynamics and population-wide drug resistance in rural South Africa.
Kemp SA, Kamelian K, Cuadros DF; PANGEA Consortium; Vukuzazi Team; Cheng MTK, Okango E, Hanekom W, Ndung'u T, Pillay D, Bonsall D, Wong EB, Tanser F, Siedner MJ, Gupta RK, Nat Commun. (2024), 15(1):3644. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47254-z:.



Population impacts of conditional financial incentives and a male-targeted digital decision support application on the HIV treatment cascade in rural KwaZulu Natal: findings from the HITS cluster randomized clinical trial.
Inghels M, Kim HY, Mathenjwa T, Shahmanesh M, Seeley J, Wyke S, Matthews P, Adeagbo O, Gareta D, McGrath N, Yapa HM, Blandford A, Zuma T, Dobra A, Bärnighausen T, Tanser F, J Int AIDS Soc. (2024), 27(5):e26248. doi: 10.1002/jia2.26248:.



Geospatial and temporal mapping of detectable HIV-1 viral loads amid dolutegravir rollout in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. PLOS Glob Public Health.
Gounder L, Tomita A, Lessells R, Moodley S, Francois KL, Khan A, Pillay M, Manyana SC, Govender S, Govender K, Moodley P, Parboosing R, Msomi N, Tanser F, Naidoo K, Chimukangara B, PLOS Glob Public Health (2024), 4(5):e0003224. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003224:.



KRISP VIDEOS


COVID-19 | News sub-variant being monitored closely
By: Tulio De Oliveira and CERI and KRISP teams

KRISP BIOINFORMATICS TOOLS



Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool

Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool for rapid identification and characterization of novel coronavirus genomes



Genome Detective Dengue Virus Typing Tool

This is a beta version of our Dengue Virus Typing tool. For the mean time, this tool should be used for evaluation only. Please send feedback to Tulio de Oliveira.



Genome Detective Zika Typing Tool

This is the first version of the Zika typing tool, which uses phylogenetic analysis to identify the species and genotype of the virus.



Genome Detective Chikungunya Typing Tool

This is the first version of the Chikungunya typing tool, which uses phylogenetic analysis to identify the species and genotype of the virus.



Genome Detective Yellow Fever Virus Typing Tool

This is the first version of the Yellow Fever typing tool, which uses phylogenetic analysis to identify the species and genotype of the virus.



Genome Detective

This is the first version of our Arbovirus typing tool for Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow Fever and Zika



REGA HIV Subtyping Tool V3 - Belgium Mirror

Phylogenetic tool to identify the HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants. Query sequences are analysed for recombination using bootscanning methods. The version 3 contains new CRFs (CRF01_AE to CRF47_BF).


MORE TOOLS


KRISP has been created by the coordinated effort of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the South African Medical Research Countil (SAMRC).


Location: K-RITH Tower Building
Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, UKZN
719 Umbilo Road, Durban, South Africa.
Director: Prof. Tulio de Oliveira