Medunsa Clinical Research Unit (MeCRU)
ABOUT MECRU
Medunsa Clinical Research Unit (MeCRU) is a unit which was established at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University from October 2005. The facility was established with the support of MRC through the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) and was officially opened by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, on the 3rd of June 2010. The Unit is administratively under the Department of Microbiological Pathology.
It is managed by the leadership of a site principal investigator, supported by sub investigators, manager together with a board. An important element of the administration of the work of the Unit is the Community advisory groups (CAG) established to maintain a strong link between the Unit and the community. This gives credence to the belief that all research needs to be of benefit to the communities in which it is conducted.
VISION
To be a centre of excellence in Clinical Research preferred for ethical and innovative work.
MISSION
To be a clinical research unit that has suitably qualified professionals, managed professionally to attract suitable work and reliable sponsors.
MOTTO
Empowering the community towards Health Care Solution.
CURRENT PROJECTS
- HIV Vaccine Trial Network (HVTN 702) – HIV Preventive Vaccine
- Regional Prospective Observational Research for Tuberculosis South Africa (RePORT SA) – TB study
Experience
MeCRU conducts a variety of clinical trials including HIV/AIDS vaccine and microbicide, Human Papilloma virus (HPV), Opportunistic infections trials, TB studies, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Socio-behavioral studies.
- HIV Vaccine Trial Network (HVTN 503) – HIV Preventive Vaccine
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI 002) – HIV Preventive Vaccine
- EDCTP-European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership – Socio Behavioral Studies
- Socio behavioral studies Title: Community attitude towards adolescent involvement in HIV Vaccine Trials: A multi-Centre South African Study
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità – Centro Nazionale AIDS (Rome, Italy)-Italian Ministry; ISS T004 – Observational Studies
- Facts-Follow on African Consortium for Tenofivir Studies FACTS001 – Microbicide (Vaginal gel)
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità – Centro Nazionale AIDS (Rome, Italy)-Italian Ministry – ISS T003 HIV Therapeutic Vaccine
- HIV, HPV Prevalence in Men Who Have Sex with Men – MSM
Emergency Numbers
Professor Maphoshane Nchabeleng
012 521 5667
MECRU LABORATORY SERVICES (MLS)
The unit has a Contract Research laboratory, MLS, to support the clinical trials. The laboratory is located 500m away in the Research Section of the Department of Microbiological Pathology. It is accredited by SANAS from 2005 (ISO 17025) to date (ISO 15189:2012) in Molecular biology section, Serology, bacteriology. The laboratory provides a variety of Clinical Trials support, including Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) isolation and Bulk specimen storage system.