Chemistry groups in Zimbabwe

ISP Chemistry supports the following research groups in Zimbabwe:

• Biomolecular interactions analysis at University of Zimbabwe
• Biochemical ecotoxicology at National University of Science and Technology

Biomolecular interactions analysis

This research group at Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, started to receive ISP support in 1990 in the field of Drug Metabolism. From 2006 the work shifted focus to a related scientific field in medicinal biochemistry and molecular biology.

The activities are coordinated by Professor Stanley Mukanganyama.

Objectives

The main thrust of the research group is to investigate the interaction of cellular biomolecules with a variety of chemical species that include drugs, novel plant medicinal compounds, carcinogens and environmental pollutants. The nature of these interactions, reversible, irreversible or quasi-reversible, will be investigated in order to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and carcinogenicity of these chemical species.

Biochemical ecotoxicology

This research group at the Department of Applied Biology and Biochemistry, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, has received ISP support since 1999.

The activities are coordinated by Dr Norah Basopo.

Objectives

Activities such as mining and agriculture indirectly contribute to pollution of the scarce water resources in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe included. Chemicals used and sometimes generated from these anthropogenic activities ultimately enter the environment and affect the wellbeing of aquatic ecosystems.

The aims of the project are to identify and quantify various toxins present in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems using chemical and biochemical approaches.