Gerhardt J. Boukes

Overseeing Afrigen’s pipeline of disease targets, including gonorrhoea, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Rift Valley fever (RVF), monkeypox (Mpox), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and tuberculosis (TB). Manages the Principal Investigators overseeing the disease target projects and Specialist Scientist (Purification and Structural Biology). Oversaw the mRNA Hub’s R&D activities and managed the scientists. Involved in the upscaling and internal technology transfer of AfriVac 2121 from R&D to Production via Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) within Afrigen, which entailed the compiling and reviewing of target product profiles (TPPs), process-, analytical method- and preclinical development reports, integrated product development plans (IPDPs) and a clinical trial application (CTA). Working closely with the Quality Control/Assurance, Regulatory and Procurement departments within Afrigen.

Managed projects under Afrigen’s human health portfolio, which included HIV, TB, etc. Utilizing Afrigen’s formulation capabilities (i.e., nanoemulsions and liposomes) to encapsulate active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to improve solubility and bioavailability. In 2021 Afrigen was selected by the WHO and the MPP to host the Global mRNA Technical Transfer and Training Hub. Instrumental in the establishment of the mRNA vaccine platform in R&D and part of the R&D core team that developed Afrigen’s proof-of-concept COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, AfriVac 2121. Main focus was on the development of the drug product, which included the formulation of mRNA into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and associated analytics. Involved in the technology transfer and training of partners from 15 LMICs to ensure pandemic preparedness and availability of affordable mRNA vaccines. Training a cohort of formulation scientists in-house.

Part of the execution team that was involved in the successful technology transfer (process and analytics) of therapeutic ID93 (antigen manufactured by Biovac) formulated with GLA-SE (adjuvant manufactured by Afrigen) from the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), Seattle (USA) to Afrigen, Cape Town (South Africa) where the first adjuvant formulation centre on the African continent was established. Main focus was on next generation adjuvant formulations (i.e., nanoalum, oil-in-water stable emulsions and liposomes) with and without Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists (e.g. GLA, imiquimod, CpG-ODN, poly IC:LC, Quil A and QS21).

Main focus was on the co-supervision of postgraduate students in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science.

Initial postdoctoral research focused on the cytotoxicity of natural prodrugs against pancreatic (cancer) cell lines, and elucidating the molecular mechanism/s of action. After being awarded the NRF Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Scholarship research focussed on the biological activities of macrofungal species of South Africa, which included cancer, TB and HIV-1 enzyme screening.

Lectured Lipid Metabolism to second year biochemistry undergraduates.

Performed biochemical screening assays and data analyses. BioAssaix Screening Services is based at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. BioAssaix offers a wide range of target directed in vitro assays for the screening of natural products and pure compounds.

Worked mainly on two projects under Dr Caoimhin Concannon's supervision. Project 1 focused on the quantification of expression levels of Bcl-2 family/BH3 only proteins in biopsy samples of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This involved working closely with oncologists, pathologists and research nurses in obtaining biopsy samples and clinical information. Data was used to predict disease free survival and defects in apoptosis signalling via computational modelling. Project 2 focused on finding novel serum biomarkers specific to CRC sera (compared to breast cancer and lymphoma sera), which could be used as therapeutic targets and clinical CRC prognosis in the future. Collaborated on a systems biology project (Prof Heinrich Huber, RCSI) dealing with the molecular mechanisms of therapeutically programmed cell death. Also performed gene silencing experiments using RNA interference.

Main focus was on medicinal plant research for various diseases.

Assisted (internal and external) postgraduate students on experimental design, protocol setup and running of the Beckman Coulter FC500, and analysis of flow cytometry data.

Demonstrator during biochemistry undergraduate practicals. Trained BSc Hons postgraduate students’ aseptic techniques for cell culturing.

Developing novel mucosal adjuvant formulations using chitosan as mucoadhesive for human and/ or animal vaccines. Awarded the IMVACC Scholarship. Supervisor: Dr Caryn Fenner

My PhD project focused on the cytotoxicity screening of different (cancer) cell lines and elucidating the molecular mechanism/s of action (including apoptosis and signalling pathways) of a medicinal plant (i.e. Hypoxis species) and its purified compounds (i.e. hypoxoside, rooperol and phytosterols). Furthermore, the project focused on analytical analysis (TLC, HPLC and GC), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating studies. Thesis title: The in vitro biological activities of three Hypoxis species and their active compounds. (http://www.nmmu.ac.za/documents/theses/Gerhardt%20Johannes%20Boukes.pdf) Supervisor: Prof Maryna van de Venter; Co-supervisor: Prof Vaughan Oosthuizen

My BSc Hons project focused on the optimisation of laboratory scale production of soluble 16 kDa derCD23, which is formed when membrane bound CD23 is cleaved by a house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) causing asthma and allergies, by comparing derCD23 levels in pET28 and pET42 expression vectors and Escherichia coli BL21 and Rosetta strains. Treatise title: Optimising the laboratory scale production of recombinant human derCD23. Supervisor: Prof Vaughan Oosthuizen