Company:	Medical Research Council
	Intern:	Saberi Marais
	CV:	MSc Molecular and Cell Biology Technology Transfer Intern View Full CV

Company Background

MRC is a statutory research body that focuses on improving the health and quality of life of the population of South Africa through relevant and exceptional scientific research. It identifies current problems and long-term issues, getting the teams and the funding together to develop and implement solutions.

The MRC is a science, engineering and technology institution, largely funded by government and is organised into six national programmes including:

• Environment and Health
• Health systems and policy
• Infection and immunity
• Molecules to disease
• Non-communicable diseases
• Women and child health

In carrying out this research the organisation also focuses on:

• Ethics and human rights
• Capacity development
• Culture and indigenous knowledge
• Information and knowledge management
• Intellectual property

Role of Intern

Saberi is involved in facilitating the commercialisation of scientific products.
This includes gathering product information, IP analyses, product development strategies, market analyses and commercialisation planning.