Wits Department of Physiology

23/10/2026

Poor sleep and poor studying went together. Students who slept worse were more likely to report lower grades and to arrive late for class.

23/10/2026

Congrats to Mmahiine, Nonhlanhla, Thanujj, Zibusiso, Siphiwe and collaborators on their latest publication

Metabolic dysfunction is a multi-organ disorder involving insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recognition of the cardiorenalmetabolic axis has revealed the need for intervent...

20/10/2026

Congrats to Eliton, Kennedy and collaborators on their latest publication

https://shop.elsevier.com/books/nonchicken-poultry-production/mnisi/978-0-443-40324-8

19/10/2026

Congrats to Lois and collaborators on their latest publication

Neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs) play a crucial role in initial pathogen defense, in part through the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These web-like structures are essential for pat...

15/10/2026

The Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, in partnership with Beckman Coulter, successfully coordinated and hosted a four-day Flow Cytometry Training Workshop focused on the CytoFLEX S flow cytometer.

The training provided participants with both theoretical and practical exposure to key aspects of flow cytometry, including:
• Basic principles of flow cytometry
• CytoFLEX S instrument overview
• Quality control (QC) procedures
• Instrument maintenance
• Software operation
• Instrument start-up and shutdown procedures
• Compensation
• Experiment creation and setup
• Sample acquisition
• Gating strategies

Approximately 20 participants from various departments within the Faculty of Health Sciences attended the training, including representatives from the Departments of Physiology, Anatomy, Molecular Medicine, and Immunology. The training provided an important opportunity to develop practical flow cytometry skills and strengthen capacity for the application of this technology across diverse research areas within the Faculty.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Beckman Coulter and Dewald Kotze for facilitating and delivering the training and for their contribution to its successful completion.

We look forward to fully utilising the CytoFLEX S flow cytometer during its six-month placement in the Department of Physiology, to support research, postgraduate training, and collaboration across the Faculty of Health Sciences.

09/10/2026

The Department of Physiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences at Wits welcomed Grade 11 learners from Randfontein High School for interactive demonstrations covering cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, alongside body measurements and composition, including weight, BMI, body water and muscle percentage. Learners also explored gangrene and diabetic foot complications, chronic kidney disease stages, pregnancy development, urine pregnancy testing and the uses of nasogastric tubes. These activities connected classroom Life Sciences with practical applications in human health, creating opportunities to ask questions and explore biomedical science. Thank you to our staff and postgraduate students for helping inspire the next generation of scientists.

08/10/2026

Congrats to Demetri and collaborators on their latest publication

The Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa seeks to facilitate interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among healthcare professionals and researchers across different specialities and fields. The journal prioritises contributions, particularly emphasising the....

07/10/2026

CPGRU Success! 🎉

Over the past two days, CPGRU students Kyle and Lucinda (Honours), Ernest and Tayyabah (MSc) and staff (Dr Andrea Kolkenbeck-Ruh & Prof Vernice Peterson), attended and participated in the annual PSSA Congress held in Pretoria from 4-6 October.

We are incredibly proud to announce that both Kyle (Hons) and Tayyabah (MSc) were named runners-up in their respective oral presentation categories. This was a first for the congress, where the standard of competition was so high that the judges decided to recognise both first and second place presenters at each career stage (Honours, MSc, and PhD levels) for the Cyril Wyndham category.

The quality of the research and presentations was outstanding, and both the CPGRU and Wits were exceptionally well represented. We are immensely proud of all four students for their presentations, achievements, and the valuable networking they engaged in throughout the congress.

The Department wishes to congratulate the students and their supervisors on their accomplishments. Keep up the excellent work!

07/10/2026

We’re excited to welcome Randfontein High School Grade 11 Life Sciences learners to the Wits School of Biomedical Sciences for a day of exploration, learning and hands-on engagement across Physiology, Anatomical Sciences, the Wits Life Sciences Museum, the Adler Museum of Medicine and UUME.
From classroom concepts to real university science, this visit is about helping learners see, experience and imagine what is possible through science and health sciences.

Inspiring the next generation of scientists.

05/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr Mmahiine C. Mosana on receiving a Certificate of Recognition at the Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards 2026 in the STEMI (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation) category. This recognition celebrates her continued contribution to science, STEM awareness and widening access to opportunities through education and community engagement. We are delighted to celebrate this achievement with her.