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.    

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

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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

PhD Student

Glioma Treatment and Pathophysiology

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

PhD Student

Probing Autophagic flux

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.