NEURO RESEARCH GROUP
THE TEAM
MSc Students
Prof Ben Loos, PhD
Principle Investigator
Prof Loos obtained his PhD at Stellenbosch University in 2009. Following a career as Imaging Platform manager, he started the Neuro Research Group in 2011. He has since been working in the fields of cell death, autophagy and neurodegeneration. Dr. Loos strives for innovative and multidisciplinary research of the highest quality and is known to have more enthusiasm and energy than all of his students combined.
PhD Candidates
Dr André du Toit, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Andre is modelling the autophagy system through the characterization of autophagy flux/activity in neural tissue (in vitro and in vivo) and with machine learning techniques, incorporating computational and systems biology approaches.
Dr Tando Maduna, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
tandomaduna@sun.ac.za
Tando is characterizing autophagy and autophagic flux in the developing and the aging nervous system through in vitro and in vivo model systems.
Jurgen Kriel, MSc
Jurgen is investigating the mechanisms involved in autopahgic cell death and whether it can be harnessed as a therapeutic intervention for the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme.
Sholto De Wet, MSc
Sholto is investigating the role of autophagosome flux and vesicle dynamics as well as the spatiotemporal distribution of tubulin and mTOR.
Nicole Heathcote, BScHons
Masters Student
Modelling Autopahgy
Nicola is investigating the impact of autophagy processes on traumatic brain injury and rescue.
Kim Fredericks, BScHons
Masters Student
Modelling Autopahgy
Kim is investigation autophagy modulation as a means for enhancing 5-ALA treatment efficacy in glioma models.
Honours Students
Demi Pylman
Honours Student
Demi is characterizing autophagosomal cargo
Nsuku Nkuna
Honours Student
Nsuku is characterizing the impact of Ritalin use in autophagy processes
Sinnead Cogill
Honours Student
Sinnead is investigating the physiological dynamics of autophagosomal cargo
Tamryn Barron
Honours Student
Tamryn is studying autophagy flux through live cell imaging and computation
Sholto is investigating the role of autophagosome flux and vesicle dynamics as well as the spatiotemporal distribution of tubulin and mTOR.