#ENDTB

The Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) is at the forefront of the fight against tuberculosis (TB), particularly in South Africa and across Africa, where TB remains a major public health challenge. In line with the World Health Organisation’s 2025 World TB Day theme — “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver” — we are actively working to turn this vision into reality.

Our COMMITment to a TB-free world

The IDM has made TB a focus area of its research agenda, addressing critical gaps in understanding the disease, its transmission, and its impact on vulnerable populations. Multiple research groups within the Institute are tackling different aspects of TB, including vaccine development, drug discovery, and immunology. These include

• The South African TB Vaccine Initiative (SATVI ),
• The Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa (CIDRI-Africa),
• Wellcome Discovery Research Platform for Infection
• The Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D),
• Centre for Tuberculosis Biomarker-Targeted Intervention,
• Clinical and Community HIV-Tuberculosis Research Collaborating Centre,
• UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit (MMRU),  
• Experimental Tuberculosis and Immunology Research Group,

Beyond the lab, we actively engage with communities through our partnership with Eh!woza, a non-profit organisation that bridges the gap between science and society. Through creative initiatives like Learner Doccies and Eh!woza Youth, young people in Khayelitsha gain hands-on experience in TB research while learning storytelling and film making. These programs empower youth to share their perspectives on TB and related health issues, using animations, documentaries, and school workshops to raise awareness and spark conversations.

The IDM’s impact extends beyond South Africa, forming a critical part of the global effort to advance TB research and innovation. IDM research groups collaborate with 38 institutions across South Africa, 66 institutions in 23 African countries, and 363 institutions in 39 countries worldwide. These partnerships strengthen knowledge sharing, accelerate breakthroughs, and contribute to the global goal of ending TB.

Revolutionising TB Classification and Diagnosis

Our researchers are transforming the way TB is classified and diagnosed. A recent Lancet Respiratory Medicine study, co-authored by IDM Members Anna Coussens, Thomas Scriba, Digby Warner, Robert J. Wilkinson, and CIDRI-Africa researcher,  Hanif Esmail, introduced a more detailed classification system that goes beyond the traditional binary model. By considering factors like pathology, infectiousness, and symptoms, this new framework allows for earlier detection and more targeted interventions. Read full article here.

In addition, a groundbreaking study published in PNAS by MMRU Research Officer Ryan Dinkele, IDM Fellows Sophia Gessner and Anastasia Koch, and IDM Members Digby Warner, and Robin Wood challenges long-standing assumptions about TB transmission. Their research reveals that individuals without clinical TB symptoms can still spread TB, highlighting the urgent need for more sensitive detection methods to prevent silent transmission. Read full article here.

INVESTing in Innovation

In the IDM, we invest time, resources, and expertise to equip our scientists with the tools they need to drive innovation in TB research. This investment spans multiple areas, ensuring that breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment continue to transform global efforts to end TB.

One of our key priorities is securing research funding from local and international funders like The South African Medical Research Council and The Wellcome Trust  - This financial support enables groundbreaking studies on drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), TB-HIV co-infection, and vaccine development, addressing some of the most pressing challenges in TB control.

To support the research, we provide cutting-edge laboratory facilities, including biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) labs. These high-containment labs allow scientists to safely study TB bacteria, test new treatments, and develop strategies to combat the disease at its source.

Beyond infrastructure, IDM researchers are revolutionising TB detection through pioneering technologies. Innovations such as non-invasive bioaerosol sampling and advanced imaging techniques are reshaping how TB transmission is understood.

Equally important is training the next generation of TB researchers. Through postgraduate programs, fellowships, and mentorship, we are equipping young African scientists with the expertise and experience needed to drive future discoveries. By investing in people, technology, and infrastructure, we ensure that TB research continues to evolve, bringing us closer to a world free of this disease.