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Aoate Tsimatsima, a master’s student in the Applied Environmental Microbiology Group (AEMG) in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, was appointed as the first Tiny Earth Partner Instructor (TEPI) in South Africa.

As part of her role as TEPI, Aoate will be forming a student-sourcing antibiotic discovery network.

“She will start in rural areas such as Thaba Nchu to give under-privileged students exposure to science in real life and to start meaningful international collaborations for important causes such a drug discovery to help with Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is a global threat,” explains Dr Julio Castillo Hernandez, leader of the AEMG and Aoate’s supervisor.

According to him, the Tiny Earth network has a database with information about bacteria that can produce compounds that exhibit antimicrobial activity against significant pathogens such as AMR microbes. Students from around the world created this database.

“Any scientist can access this information for further research, which might result in the discovery of a novel drug against AMR bacteria and cancer. Students then receive recognition for any research results that stem from their physical contribution of the compound-producing microorganisms they added to the Tiny Earth database.

Medicine in a potato

Aoate’s research project is focusing on micro-organisms like bacteria and fungi that inhabit medicinal plants, in particular, the African Potato (Hypoxis sp.). She is using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics tools to identify as many microbes as possible.

The microbes inside the plants, known as ‘endophytes’, might be responsible for the medicinal properties of the African Potato. Dr Castillo recons these micro-organisms are very difficult to isolate and cultivate under lab conditions.

Aoate and Dr Castillo are members of the Applied Environmental Microbiology Group (AEMG), which conducts research on bioprospection of extreme environments such as hot springs, acid-mine drainages, and deep-subsurface as well as medicinal plants.

The projects developed in AEMG seek to have a social impact with a positive benefit for the community. From the improvement of people's health, and bioremediation of wastewater for rural areas, to the creation of jobs through the discovery of novel bio-recovery technologies for precious metals from mining and electronic wastes.

“The Tiny Earth network has a database created by students around the world with information about bacteria that are able to produce compounds that exhibit antimicrobial activity against significant pathogens such as Antimicrobial Resistance microbes.” - Dr Julio Castillo Hernandez

Perfect niche for innovative ideas

The AEMG and the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry are perfect niches for innovative and novel ideas and research.

In 2019, Aoate began her internship within the project entitled Extreme environments as sources of antimicrobial compounds in Dr Castillo’s lab, under his supervision.

Dr Castillo tells that during this project, her interest in the discovery of novel natural antimicrobial and anticancer compounds increased and encouraged her to do her honours. In 2020, the focus was expanded to the endophytes in the African Potato, and she started with her honours on this topic. Currently, Aoate is conducting research on this topic in a master's project entitled Endophytes in phytomedicine as an alternative source of bioactive compounds.

Dr Castillo believes the support of Prof Olihile Sebolai from the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry and Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa from the Department of Pharmacology has been crucial during her preparation and the development of the project

When this training offered by the Tiny Earth programme came up, Dr Castillo did not have any doubt that this was an excellent opportunity for Aoate.

He believes Aoate will be ready to transfer her knowledge and experience as TEPI to learners and undergraduate students, inspiring and involving them in scientific experiments associated with the discovery of novel natural compounds.

“This project will also have a positive socio-economic impact, since AMR is a threat to the health of people and involves high costs for South Africa,” he says.