MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG- A JOHANNESBURG-developed concept could be the breakthrough to finding a cure for HIV/AIDS.
Nick Walker, the developer of the concept that won the first South African Global Impact Competition, will travel to Silicon Valley’s Singularity University in June with the conception of a stem cell bank that will process, edit, store and dispense stem cells to cure the virus.
Inspired by international research into gene editing and stem cell therapies, combined with the potential for stem cell banks to scale, Walker proposed establishing a bank to store gene-edited stem cells from umbilical cord blood as a possible transfusion therapy for HIV/AIDS patients.
His idea so impressed the eminent panel of judges that he was awarded the only place for South Africans on Singularity University’s 2016 Global Solutions Programme. He will join some 25 international participants for this year’s programme.
It was while working at a leading Johannesburg-based stem cell storage bank, Next Biosciences, that Walker developed his concept.
“My interest in the pioneering research into gene editing for curing HIV/AIDS, currently underway around the world, led me to consider the next steps once this research results in a replicable therapy,” says Walker, who is Innovation Scientist at Next Biosciences.
“This interest, combined with my experience in the industry of processing and storing umbilical cord blood, resulted in the idea of a large-scale bank with the necessary facilities to process and store the vast amount of stem cells that would make this potential treatment for HIV/AIDS feasible.”
At Silicon Valley, Walker will attend the intensive ten-week course designed to educate, empower and prepare today’s brightest minds to use exponential technology to solve the world’s greatest challenges in the areas of health, water, food, environment, learning, space, energy, disaster resilience, governance and security.
“Finding a cure for HIV/AIDS is a vast collaborative effort by a multi-disciplinary, international group of scientists, doctors, geneticists and other experts in a variety of fields. It has to be, because finding a cure is so complex,” he says.
The expert says the opportunity to meet and work with, the leaders in this field is thrilling while he is humbled by the recognition of his concept.
“Contributing to finding a potential cure for HIV/AIDS, in any small way, with these colleagues would be an indescribable honour.”
Chief Executive Officer of Next Biosciences, Kim Hulett, says Walker’s proposal presents a fascinating vision of stem cell banking and therapy.
“We are immensely excited about the opportunity that has been granted to Dr Walker, and are fully supportive of his endeavours as he explores his idea through the Global Solutions Programme,” she says.
On his return, he will be supported by the new business incubator established by Rand Merchant Bank and First National Bank.
– Guardian
