Budding molecular scientists in South Africa now have access to a dedicated training facility.

The Centre for Advanced Training and Innovative Research (CATIR) in Pretoria is a joint initiative involving Thermo Fisher Scientific, the South African Medical Research Council and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, reports Engineering News.

The facility is intended to boost the country’s preparedness for future pandemics and strengthen the resilience of its health systems.

The CATIR will provide hands-on molecular technique training, focusing on technology and applications, as well as laboratory management and personal development skills for students.

The lab is intended to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application for students, and will offer free five-month courses to 160 students a year.

The first cohort of students expected in the lab this year have been drawn from the University of Venda, University of Limpopo and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

‘This is a first-of-its-kind centre in Africa, where we will be training graduates from universities in molecular science, from basic molecular up to state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing,’ said Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa and Middle East senior director Marcin Kouri.

22 July 2025
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