This Open Access book is based on a collection of select original research and review articles that emanate from work that was presented at the 28th Congress of the South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SASBMB). The chapters span across various aspects including, but not limited to, protein biochemistry, cell stress, malaria, phytomedicine, metabolomics, virology and nanobiotechnology. Contributions are based on experimental work and review articles published by top scientists working in these respective fields. In this regard, the volume spans the basic and applied spectra on the respective subjects. The presented results are based on current research in the above-mentioned fields with special attention to modern research techniques applied in addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases at the core of the narrative.

The broad spectrum of topics covered makes this book a handy reference to both graduate students and researchers working within the fields of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Microbiology.

Addmore Shonhai is Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Venda in South Africa.  He is a council member of the South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (mASSAf), and a fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa (FRSSAf).  His research focuses on the role of heat shock proteins in the development of infectious agents.  He is a recipient of several awards, including a prestigious Georg Forster Fellowship (awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany) and a Fulbright (USA) Visiting Scholar Fellowship.

Abidemi Paul Kappo is a full Professor of Biochemistry and Group Leader of the Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology Group at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a structural biologist. He obtained his PhD from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. His research focuses on applying structural biology and structural bioinformatics techniques to discover and design new/novel biopharmaceuticals against infectious diseases. Prof Kappo has served as the President of the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SASBMB) and is presently the Vice-President of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 

Jo-Anne de la Mare is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics at Rhodes University and current President of the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from Rhodes University. As the Principal Investigator of the Female Cancers Research at Rhodes University (FemCR2U) group, her research focuses on preclinical drug discovery for female cancers including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and cervical cancer. She is passionate about transforming the Higher Education landscape and empowering young black women through education and training in scarce skills.