A new R30m cleanroom facility has been unveiled at Mintek's Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC) in Johannesburg, South Africa, to manufacture devices for the rapid diagnosis of illnesses such as malaria. The early diagnosis and treatment of such diseases can help to save lives, and having the cleanroom is a major step towards disease control in South Africa.
Commissioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) last December, the new cleanroom facility is designed to enable the NIC and South Africa's researchers to develop and fabricate nanotechnology-based diagnostic devices and tools for health applications and the containment of biological reagents.
The facility will also enable the centre to produce nanotechnology devices and systems that meet the most stringent International Standards Organisation (ISO) requirements, which makes it possible for the NIC to follow good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines and comply with pharmaceutical inspection conventions.
Unveiling the facilities, the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, said that the DST was greatly encouraged by the progress that the government had made since the launch of the National Nanotechnology Strategy in 2005.
‘When we launched the strategy, we set ourselves ambitious goals regarding the provision of clean water, reliable energy and improved healthcare. We are committed to doing this cost-effectively, and we remain committed to these goals and focused on their realisation,’ she said.
Pandor added that reliable research equipment would enhance the development of nanotechnology based knowledge and innovation in South Africa.
