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Prof Frank Zachos
Prof Frank Zachos recently delivered his inaugural lecture on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Prof Frank Zachos, a scientist and Head of the Mammal Collection at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in Vienna – one of the world’s largest natural history museums – recently delivered his inaugural lecture at the University of the Free State (UFS) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

His lecture was titled: Of bat bombs and super moms – the wondrous and wondrously curious world of mammals.

Prof Zachos, an affiliated researcher at the UFS, says he chose mammals as the topic of his lecture because he is a mammalogist and curator of mammals at the Natural History Museum. Additionally, he collaborates with Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the Department of Genetics, on mammal projects.

Exposure to almost unparalleled biodiversity in SA

With a mixture of entertaining fun facts and some proper research results, he presented his lecture, providing an overview of some of the most interesting aspects of mammals. These included their different ways of reproduction: the platypuses laying eggs, the tiny marsupial offspring growing in a pouch, and placental mammals having long gestation times. Furthermore, he compared levels of biodiversity in South Africa and Europe and highlighted some particularly bizarre mammals, such as the aye-aye, naked mole-rat, the platypus, and two extinct South African ungulates from their collection in Vienna – the quagga and the blue antelope.

Prof Zachos also discussed his own research on blue antelope genetics, as well as research on other species, in the context of the detrimental impact humans have on mammals and other wildlife.

Moreover, his lecture included a reference to Project X-Ray, a story of how the US army pursued an unsuccessful plan to use bats as carriers of mini bombs in World War II.

Prof Zachos, who is specifically known for his research on the systematics, biogeography, and genetics of red deer, as well as his theoretical work on the species problem (‘what is a species?’ –  one of the most hotly debated topics in evolutionary biology), is affiliated with the UFS due to his longstanding collaboration with Prof Grobler. He says they have known each other for a long time, have published together, and that he has also served as an external reviewer for several theses coming from the Department of Genetics.

“Apart from this personal connection, what made this collaboration particularly interesting to me from a professional viewpoint, is the rich wildlife biodiversity and the research focus of Prof Grobler’s research group, which overlaps significantly with my own longstanding interests,” adds Prof Zachos.

“Working with Prof Grobler, I am involved in studies on the genetic diversity and structuring of different mammal species occurring in South Africa. The opportunity to spend time in the field for sample collection and other activities is definitely also a highlight,” remarks Prof Zachos.

Ideal combination of academic and personal growth

Regarding his connection with the UFS and its impact on shaping the future direction of his research, he states that he has a strong interest in antelopes – a group of mammals not found in Europe, but very prominent in South Africa. “Apart from that, people in the Department of Genetics have expertise in relevant areas that I personally do not have, for example bioinformatics. For me, it is the ideal combination of academic and personal growth, and I am very grateful to have this unique opportunity.”

He believes that his affiliation with the UFS and its Department of Genetics will continue to provide him with opportunities to expand his research and knowledge to different species and ecosystems.

Beyond science, he says that he has developed an interest in the country as well. “I have been reading books about South Africa, and I consider myself very privileged to have a second academic home here, which gives me the opportunity for exchange with people of different backgrounds,” he comments.

News Archive

UFS to monitor the use of ARV-drugs on pregnant women and children
2004-12-08

The University of the Free State (UFS) is to establish a Pharmacovigilance Centre that will monitor the effects of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs on HIV positive pregnant women and children starting early in the new year.

The UFS is one of only two institutions chosen by the Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, to establish such an ARV monitoring centre.

The other centre will be based at Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) and will concentrate mainly on monitoring the effects of the drugs on adults.

“The establishment of the UFS’s Pharmaconvigilance Centre forms part of government’s Comprehensive Plan on HIV and AIDS, often termed the roll-out plan for ARV drugs. The centre’s primary responsibility will be to specifically monitor the use of these drugs in pregnant women, and children under the age of 13,” said Prof Andrew Walubo of the UFS’s Department of Pharmacology.

“Although most of the side effects of ARV drugs have been identified in other countries, it has now become critical to identify the side effects amongst the South African population. This is important because many people will be exposed to the drugs within a short time. Our aim is so identify the most common side effects and make recommendations for the prevention thereof. The centre will help in detecting the risk of using anti-retroviral drugs in pregnancy and children, and prevention of adverse drug reactions,” said Prof Walubo.

According to Prof Walubo 12 drugs will be monitored – these drugs will be selected according to the patient’s profile.

The centre will comprise of two components: A pregnancy registry, which will focus on a new-born child up until two months and a pediatric registry, which will focus on children who are born of mothers who used ARV drugs and children using ARV drugs.

According to Prof Walubo, the Pharmaconvigilance Centre will also be responsible for offering relevant technical advice, training and selected research on ARV drugs in these patients.

The centre will be fully sponsored by the national Department of Health. It will be based in the UFS’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, and will be run in collaboration with experts from different departments in the faculty.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
8 December 2004

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