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Introduction
Earth entered into an agreement with iThemba Labs, the
University of the Western Cape, Cape University and
Stellenbosch University. The ceremonial signing of the
Memorandum of Understanding will take place on 15 March
2007 at the iThema Labs in Cape Town.
iThemalab developed unique proton as well as
neutron beam radiation as curative treatment against
cancer tumors. With an aiming accuracy of 0.5 mm, this
technology enables treatment of complicated tumor of the
brain and pituitary. Aiming is achieved with 9 cameras
place positioning and skull fixation with full custom
made face masks.
Laboratory for
accelerator based sciences
 The
iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences is a
group of multi-disciplinary research laboratories
administered by the
National Research Foundation. Based at two sites in
Western Cape and Gauteng, these provide facilities for:
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Basic and applied research using particle beams
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Particle radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer
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The supply of accelerator-produced
radioactive isotopes for nuclear medicine and
research
 Activities
are based around a number of sub-atomic particle
accelerators. The largest of these, a k-200 separated
sector cyclotron, accelerates protons to energies of
200MeV, and heavier particles to much higher energies.
Smaller accelerators at the Western Cape site are two
injector cyclotrons, one providing intense beams of
light ions, and the other, beams of polarized light ions
or heavy ions, and a 6MV Van de Graaff electrostatic
accelerator. Accelerators at the Gauteng site include a
6MV tandem Van de Graaff electrostatic accelerator and
two low energy electrostatic accelerators for ion
implantation and other surface science studies. iThemba
LABS brings together scientists working in the physical,
medical and biological sciences. The facilities provide
opportunities for modern research, advanced education,
the treatment of cancers, and the production of unique
radioisotopes.
iThemba LABS focuses on providing scientifically and
medically useful radiation through the acceleration of
charged particles using the cyclotrons, the
electrostatic accelerators and other appropriate
technologies. iThemba LABS is to be the primary center
of expertise in radiation medicine and nuclear science
and technologies to advance the knowledge and health of
the people of Africa.
The basic skills and facilities at iThemba LABS are in
the applied and pure sub-atomic sciences and associated
technologies. Worldwide, these basic sciences are
growing strongly. The applications of these sciences to
technology are also growing rapidly indeed. For example,
there is an international scarcity of radioisotopes
creating a market into which iThemba LABS' products have
had speedy access due to their quality and innovative
nature. There is also a shortage of the skills and human
resources required to satisfy these growing markets and
economic requirements. The training programmes at
iThemba LABS are essential both for transforming the
South African science and technology (S&T) workforce and
for growing the skills required to build a successful
economy in which there are sufficient resources to
eradicate poverty.
As a national research facility working within the
National System of Innovation it is the intention of
iThemba LABS to achieve the following strategic
objectives:
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Grow the research facilities to increase training,
human resource development, international
collaborations (especially with Africa) and the
Science and Technology profile of South Africa.
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To spin off economic units that are self-sustaining
and benefit from the skills, sciences and
technologies developed and available at iThemba
LABS. To this end the following should be achieved:
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Realize the Major Radiation Medical Centre (MRMC)
project;
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Grow radio nuclide production into a substantial
business;
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Substantially improve training and research outputs;
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Strengthen beneficial collaborations with the higher
education sector;
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Forge closer ties with South African and African S&T
institutions;
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Position to have the skills and capacity to respond
to the sub- atomic technology needs of 2005- 2010.
For example, in this period fourth-generation
synchrotron radiation sources and accelerator-based
free electron lasers may well be needed by the
African S&T community to impact advances in
chemistry and biology;
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Quickly expand the IT/electronics instrumentation
capacity at iThemba LABS. The current capacity
barely meets basic needs. Skills and capacity in
these disciplines are vital to the national
interest;
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Acquire the capacity to technically and
scientifically service university research groups
that wish to use international facilities such as
CERN, ILL, ESRS, SESEME, CEBAF Spring 8, and so
forth. This servicing activity is one of the key
functions of national research laboratories
internationally;
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Substantially expand the number of post-doctoral
fellowship and research assistant posts to increase
opportunities for young South Africans to establish
international research reputations.
Behandeling met protonen
Behandeling met protonen is een effectieve manier om een
optimale tumordosis te combineren met beperkte dosis aan
omliggende weefsels. Proton therapy wordt al jaren
succesvol toegepast bij o.a. chordomen en
chondrosarcomen en met het op grotere schaal beschikbaar
komen van faciliteiten ook voor andere indicaties (o.a.
bepaalde KNO tumoren, hersentumoren) ingezet. Eén van de
belangrijkste knelpunten zijn de immense kosten die er
mee verbonden zijn. Er wordt gewerkt aan nieuwe,
goedkopere technieken om protonentherapie toe te kunnen
passen. In hoeverre het voorstel in Zuid-Afrika
levensvatbaar is kan ik vanaf hier niet beoordelen, maar
toepassing van proton therapy zal naar ik verwacht in de
komende 10 jaar aan toepassingsgebied winnen. In de
bijlage nog wat oude plannen en een oude kostenraming
van deze groep.
Bob Pinedo
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