Professor Stefan Barth
Professor Stefan Barth MSc (Bonn) PhD (Bonn) DMSc (Cologne)
Tier 1 South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology; Division of Chemical & Systems Biology; Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences Member; Member and Executive Director, Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Unit; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town.
The major aim of our research is the use of medical biotechnology methods including antibody technologies, protein engineering & expression, to develop and evaluate knowledge-based innovative recombinant immunodiagnostics and therapeutics. The main characteristics of these novel agents are: a) disease-specific activities, b) reduced unspecific side effects, and c) reduced immunogenicity.
Novel methods for selection of antibodies are developed in close collaboration with a) Dr. Mehmet K. Tur, Experimental Pathology and Immunotherapy, Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Germany.
Novel fusion proteins will be designed using advanced supercomputing tools to model dynamic interactions of proteins, in close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Paolo Carloni, Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany. Recombinant fusion proteins are mainly expressed in bacterial or mammalian cells and subsequently characterized in experimental settings, both in vitro on cell lines or primary material of patients and in vivo in transgenic/tumor-bearing mouse models.
Selected publications:
See publications and profile on Research Gate.
Contact details:
Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences
Wernher & Beit North level 3
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town
Anzio Road
Observatory, 7925
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 406 6938 (office)
Email: stefan.barth@uct.ac.za
Alternate site: https://health.uct.ac.za/chemsysbio/research-groups/barth-group
Group members:
| Member | Position |
| Dr Nkasi Lekena | Junior Research Fellow |
| Olusiji Alex Akinrinmade | Postdoctoral Fellow |
| Adebukola Kemi Daramola | PhD Student |
| Anathi Nkayi | PhD Student |
| Dennis Dogbey | PhD Student |
| Liyabona Mpondo | PhD Student |
| Masala Mugeri | PhD Student |
| Murithi Bernard Mirianga | PhD Student |
| Siphelele Sanele Cingo | PhD Student |
| Suzanne Hippolite Magagoum | PhD Student |
| Trishana Nundalall | PhD Student |
| Ursula-Claire Andong-Koung-Edzizi | PhD Student |
| Annestacia Marthinus | MSc Student |
| Chardae Friedberg | MSc Student |
| Emmanuel Adebowale Fajemisin | MSc Student |
| Grace Mayuni | MSc Student |
| Jesmika Singh | MSc Student |
| Marc Henry | MSc Student |
| Maryam Karaan | MSc Student |
| Salizwa Thinasithethi Malindi | MSc Student |
| Sizalobuhle Masuku | MSc Student |
| Stefane Motimele | MSc Student |
| Takunda Ngwenya | MSc Student |
| Tatenda Bvudzijena | MSc Student |
| Valentine Amanda Shangase | MSc Student |
| Gomolemo Atli Molope | Honours Student |
| Dzunisani Phaweni | CPUT WIL |
| Roschele Wilson | CPUT WIL |
| Melissa Margarete Dorn | Intern |
Collaborations:
International
Dr Klaus Pors, University of Bradford, UK, Recombinant antibody drug conjugates
Dr Mehmet K. Tur, UKGM Giessen, Germany, Selection of antibodies on human cells/tissue
Dr Peter Duncan, Afrobodies, South Africa, Novel recombinant antibodies
Prof Andreas Maurer, University of Tübingen, Germany, Recombinant radiobiopharmaceuticals
Prof Matthias Peipp, University of Kiel, Germany, Therapeutically active fusion proteins
Prof Paolo Carloni, FZ Jülich, Germany, Simulation of dynamic protein interactions
Local
Prof Dirk Lang, UCT, Cape Town, Immunofluorescence Imaging
Prof Roger Hunter, UCT, Cape Town, Synthetic BG-modified SNAP substrates
Prof Ramona Hurdayal, UCT, Cape Town, Leishmania mouse models
Prof Komala Pillay, UCT, Cape Town, Access to NHLS FFPE patient sections
Prof Bert Klumperman, SUN, Stellenbosch, Synthetic BG-modified SNAP substrates