Biology subjects

Venter, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Venter, M..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Peer-Led Leadership, Mentoring and Promotion: Conversations Among Female Academics from South Africa, Ghana and the United Kingdom

Here, we report a one-day, cross-cultural, peer-led workshop at the University of Stellenbosch, facilitated by academics from South Africa, Ghana and the United Kingdom. The focus was on leadership, mentoring and promotion. Using short, structured activities alongside small-group discussion, the participants were encouraged to reflect on leadership, mentoring and the perceived gap between being "ready" and being "recognised" for promotion. Descriptive survey findings and free-text reflections highlight the demand for structured peer support, reciprocal mentoring opportunities, and clearer, more transparent promotion processes. Following the event, we performed a structured review of the impact. This highlighted that the workshop participants reported that the event allowed for greater self-awareness into their own leadership approaches, a stronger commitment to purposeful mentoring, and greater confidence and renewed motivation to take concrete steps towards promotion.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2025

A broad set of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists inhibit the cardiac voltage-gated potassium channel hERG

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) is a large group of structurally diverse designer drugs (analogues of controlled substances) associated with intense and sometimes fatal intoxication. Cardiac symptoms including tachycardia and arrhythmia are common consequences of SCRA consumption. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which SCRAs may perturb cardiac rhythm. Here we used electrophysiological techniques to screen 36 SCRAs on two ion channels responsible for cardiomyocyte repolarization, hERG (also called KV11.1) and KV7.1/KCNE1. We report that the majority of tested SCRAs inhibited hERG, primarily by reducing channel conductance, and some also inhibited KV7.1/KCNE1. In silico data suggests that SCRAs use a known drug binding site in the pore of the hERG channel, shared by established hERG blockers like astemizole, where a planar SCRA molecule lays perpendicular to the ion conducting pathway. Experimental and in silico data identify SCRA structural features associated with prominent inhibitory effects on hERG, with chemical moieties allowing bond formation and/or the ability to fit into the vestibule being important. Structure-activity-relationships for SCRA effects on hERG, KV7.1/KCNE1 and the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) varied, demonstrating the importance of assessing SCRA effects on multiple potential targets. In conclusion, we found SCRAs to be inhibitors of cardiac voltage-gated potassium channels important for cardiomyocyte repolarization. These results offer mechanistic insight into potentially detrimental SCRA effects on the heart and highlight the urgency of more extensive investigation of SCRAs on cardiac function.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2025

Identifying genomic surveillance gaps in Africa for the global public health response to West Nile Virus

BackgroundWest Nile Virus (WNV) is a zoonotic flavivirus of significant One Health relevance and is classified as a priority pathogen with a high-risk of causing public health emergencies of global concern. WNV is endemic to Africa; however, the availability of genomic sequences from the continent remains limited. MethodsWe review the extent of polymerase chain reaction testing and genomic sequencing of WNV conducted across Africa. Using phylogeographic methods, we map the spatiotemporal spread of the virus across the continent and globally. FindingsOur study shows that WNV has been detected in 39 African countries (including Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius), the Canary Islands, and Reunion Island. Publications including molecular data originate from 24 countries; however, genomic sequences are publicly available for only 16 countries. We identify regions with detected viral circulation but lacking molecular surveillance. Further, we list such regions that overlap with Key Biodiversity Areas (sites harbouring significant bird diversity) as they may host high viral circulation, and high human population density that may be susceptible to spillover. InterpretationWe recognise significant knowledge gaps on the true disease burden, molecular epidemiology, and distribution of WNV in Africa. Addressing these gaps requires an integrated One Health surveillance approach which is challenging to establish. We propose three key surveillance needs as potential starting points to improve our understanding of the virus in Africa to strengthen the global public health response to this disease. FundingRockefeller Foundation, the National Institute of Health USA, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Umbrella Program, managed by the World Bank Group, the Medical Research Foundation, and the Wellcome Trust.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2019

A comparative assessment of adult mosquito trapping methods to estimate spatial patterns of abundance and community composition in southern Africa

BackgroundAssessing adult mosquito populations is an important component of disease surveillance programs and ecosystem health assessments. Inference from adult trapping datasets involves comparing populations across space and time, but comparisons based on different trapping methods may be biased if traps have different efficiencies or sample different subsets of the mosquito community.\n\nMethodsWe compared four widely-used trapping methods for adult mosquito data collection in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa: Centers for Disease Control miniature light trap (CDC), Biogents Sentinel trap (BG), Biogents gravid Aedes trap (GAT) and a net trap. We quantified how trap choice and sampling effort influence inferences on the regional distribution of mosquito abundance, richness and community composition.\n\nResultsThe CDC and net traps together collected 96% (47% and 49% individually) of the 955 female mosquitoes sampled and 100% (85% and 78% individually) of the 40 species or species complexes identified. The CDC and net trap also identified similar regional patterns of community composition. However, inference on the regional patterns of abundance differed between these traps because mosquito abundance in the net trap was influenced by variation in weather conditions. The BG and GAT traps collected significantly fewer mosquitoes, limiting regional comparisons of abundance and community composition.\n\nConclusionsThis study represents the first systematic assessment of trapping methods in natural savanna ecosystems in southern Africa. We recommend the CDC trap or the net trap for future monitoring and surveillance programs.

ecology↗