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07 January 2018
Photo Charl Devenish
Dr Anneke van der Spoel van Dijk is invested in contributing
to the global effort of stopping TB by 2035.
The work of Dr Anneke van der Spoel van Dijk investigates the spread of TB in the Free State population using techniques such as next generation sequencing, spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR typing. Dr Van der Spoel van Dijk, a senior medical scientist in the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of the Free State (UFS) also looks at drug resistance in her research. This work informs decisions about how best to treat patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
She employs rapid molecular techniques to track one of Africa’s most serious diseases, tuberculosis (TB).
Drug resistance
Scientists assist the National Health Laboratory Service and Department of Health in trying to refine the diagnostic tools to identify these cases earlier. Dr Van der Spoel van Dijk explains: “Until recently, it took up to two years to fine-tune treatment decisions for patients with MDR-TB. Patients get a cocktail of anti-TB drugs, but it takes time to find the right combination. Re-infection and relapse (patients stopping treatment for several reasons) add to the diagnostic and treatment management challenges.
Enormous impact
“Now doctors can reduce the time needed for diagnostic certainty to about seven days, while new drugs allow reduction of treatment from more than 18 to nine months. This can have an enormous impact on the life of many patients.”
Dr Van der Spoel van Dijk’s work forms part of research in the faculty looking at resistance development in TB strains. She is currently also doing her doctoral thesis on the differences and incidence of MDR-TB among adolescents versus adults. Dr Van der Spoel van Dijk says: “It is a complicated picture, but we hope to unravel it to support better diagnostic tools and patient care.”
As part of the National Health Laboratory Service, her department is playing an important role in TB diagnostics and the training of scientists and future pathologists. “Our work is contributing to the global vision to stop TB by 2035,” Dr Van der Spoel van Dijk says.
UFS provides an alternative route to a BEng degree
2014-06-04
 Mr Louis Lagrange
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |
The university is very excited about the establishment of a new study field at Kovsies – a BSc degree with majors in Physics and Engineering subjects. The course is presented in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Project EnSci was established at the UFS at the beginning of 2014. Twelve first-years and four second-years enrolled for the course this year.
“We replace the non-core Physics subjects with Engineering subjects. We also present all specialist Engineering subjects ourselves,” says Louis Lagrange, project manager of Projec EnSci – Engineering Science.
“There isn’t enough space at universities in South Africa to accommodate all students who are interested in engineering. The UFS course can thus be considered a fundamental engineering course. It equips a student in such a way that they will be able to specialise in various disciplines,” he says.
After completion of the three-year BSc degree at the UFS, students may choose to:
• graduate with a BSc degree majoring in Physics and Engineering subjects and enter the professional world.
• study further for an honours, master’s or doctoral degree in Physics.
• apply to register for a second degree – BEng or BScEng (for two additional years) at another university recognising the BSc degree with majors in Physics and Engineering Science. Acceptance is subject to certain requirements.
Matriculants interested in this field, must follow the application procedure of the UFS before 30 September 2014 and achieve the following in the final NSC or equivalent examination:
• an AP score of 34 or more is strongly recommended,
• cumulative AP score of 13 or more in Mathematics and Physical Science,
• completion of NBT tests and
• language of instruction – 4 or more.
These prospective students also need to complete and submit an application form. For more information contact us at engineeringsubjects@ufs.ac.za