A new chapter for African Brain Child

The launch of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Discovery Neuroscience in Children: Advancing Understanding and Treatment of Acute Brain Conditions research unit marks a significant new chapter for the African Brain Child (ABC) research group. The unit is one of seven new SAMRC Extramural Units (EMUs) across the country.

Based at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, the research unit builds on years of scientific discovery, clinical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. The director of the new unit, Professor Anthony Figaji, said that it will provide a long-term platform to better understand the developing brain, improve the diagnosis and treatment of acute brain conditions, and expand neuroscience research and training across Africa, with the ultimate aim of making a positive difference in the lives of children.

The investment recognises the growth of African Brain Child into one of the continent’s leading child neuroscience and neurosurgery research programmes; and provides the support to pursue increasingly ambitious scientific questions while strengthening collaborations across South Africa and internationally.

Professor Liesl Zühlke, the vice-president of the Extramural Research and International Portfolio at the SAMRC, said, “The SAMRC is delighted to welcome the new unit into the SAMRC family to extend our reach even further – especially in neuroscience and child health.”

Professor Nicola Mulder will lead the SAMRC/UCT AI for African Population Health Research Unit, which aims to harness artificial intelligence to transform public health insights and interventions.

Professor Thokozani Majozi, UCT’s deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Internationalisation, said, “We hope to capitalise on this not just in terms of our research publications, but through research where it matters most – changing people’s lives fundamentally, improving and saving lives.”

The developing brain shapes a lifetime

Africa is home to the youngest population. At the same time, neurological conditions continue to place a substantial burden on children, families and healthcare systems across the world. Together, these realities present both an urgent healthcare challenge and an extraordinary scientific opportunity.

Childhood represents the most important period of brain growth and development. During this time, the brain undergoes remarkable change, laying the foundation for lifelong health, learning and well-being. Understanding how it responds to injury, infection and disease has the potential to improve outcomes for children, while providing new insights into brain health across the lifespan.

“The developing brain determines the trajectory of an entire life. Each of those lives shape our society,” said Professor Anthony Figaji, the director of the new SAMRC EMU.

Rather than focusing on a single disease, the unit brings together clinicians, neuroscientists and laboratory scientists to investigate the biological processes shared across many acute brain conditions. By combining expertise across disciplines, the unit aims to generate discoveries that translate into earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments and improved care for children.

Years in the making

The launch is the culmination of years of investment in research, infrastructure and collaboration.

Working across UCT’s Neuroscience Institute and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, African Brain Child has developed internationally recognised research spanning traumatic brain injury, brain infections, hydrocephalus, epilepsy and brain tumours. The group has established the world’s largest high-frequency neurophysiological dataset in children, an extensive paediatric brain biobank, specialised clinical expertise, in-house and collaborative advanced laboratory expertise that have created a strong foundation for future growth.

This work has earned national and international recognition, including the National Research Foundation Science Team of the Year Award, the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship, and the first Wellcome Discovery Award given to a single principal investigator in Africa. Together, these achievements laid the foundation for the Discovery Neuroscience in Children Research Unit.

“We are privileged to work at the crossroads of major scientific frontiers, including neuroscience, immunology and precision medicine, while focusing on the most remarkable stage of the human lifespan: childhood,” said Associate Professor Ursula Rohlwink, the deputy director of the new EMU.

From discovery to impact

The unit has been established to accelerate research into acute brain conditions affecting children, from fundamental biological discovery to clinical application.

Its work will investigate the cellular mechanisms of brain injury and disease, explore how drugs reach the brain, identify new biomarkers and genomic signatures and develop innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment. By combining laboratory science with clinical research, the unit aims to ensure that scientific discoveries translate into meaningful improvements in patient care.

Beyond research, the unit has a strong focus on building capacity. Through postgraduate training, interdisciplinary mentorship and collaborations across South Africa and the world, it will take a transformative approach to building a new generation of African neuroscientists and healthcare innovators who can lead from the continent.

Community engagement also forms an important part of the programme. Alongside its research activities, the team will continue initiatives that promote brain health awareness, inspire young people to pursue careers in science and work with communities to ensure research remains relevant to the people it serves.

Professor Figaji concluded: “On a continent where half the population are children and teenagers, for whom the brain is central to who they are and what they can accomplish, we should all aim to save lives and fulfil childhood potential. If we get this right, we can ensure prosperity for our continent. Children are, quite literally, our future.”