By Ontiretse Motingwa
“As a complicated and ever-evolving field, science requires scientists and researchers who are resilient, determined, and knowledgeable. They must also have a great willingness to learn and use new skills and scientific concepts without bias or conformity to what society deems acceptable.” This is according to Khanyisani Ziqubu, a PhD biochemistry candidate at the North-West University (NWU).
Khanyisani considers himself a young aspiring scientist who always strives to understand how things work, and his curiosity has led him to develop an interest in research.
Currently, he is pursuing a PhD that focuses on investigating brown adipose tissue secretome and the role of flavonoids on batokines secretion in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
“The (re-)discovery of brown and beige adipose tissues – thermoregulatory organs that transform fat into heat – has revived research about obesity and type 2 diabetes, with the latter being one of the top 10 leading causes of death globally,” says Khanyisani.
“Due to its complexity, and the lack of knowledge on its pathophysiological mechanisms, treating obesity and related metabolic illnesses like type 2 diabetes is difficult,” he adds.
Khanyisani’s PhD research has determined and characterised age, obesity, and type 2 diabetes-related alterations in brown/beige adipose tissue markers using in vitro and in vivo obesity models.
“My data may provide some novel insights into the pathophysiology and biomarkers of obesity and type 2 diabetes,” he says.
Khanyisani's other findings complement the new paradigm, demonstrating that brown adipose tissue hypertrophy and reduced secretory function are major pathogenic mechanisms in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
About Khanyisani Ziqubu
Khanyisani Ziqubu is 26 and hails from Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal. He holds a BSc in microbiology and biochemistry, a BScHons, and an MSc in biochemistry from the University of Zululand.
He started his MSc in biochemistry at the South African Medical Research Council’s Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform in 2018. His MSc thesis chapters were all published in high-impact publications and presented at local and international conferences. He presented the best poster at the 13th Annual Early Career Scientist Convention in Cape Town in 2019.
Khanyisani has co-supervised five honours students while pursuing his PhD. He has written and co-written more than 30 peer-reviewed articles on the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity, diabetes, fatty liver and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals from medicinal plants.
