Ed Rybicki

Director URC Biopharming Research Unit, Professor in Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Science, & Member, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town; Academic Liaison, Research Portal Project

Ed Rybicki’s main research interests are presently in the area of vaccine biotechnology, and in developing mainly plant expression systems as platforms for the production of a wider range of proteins. His expertise includes vaccine and viral biotechnology. Novel human papillomavirus and rotavirus and human pandemic and avian influenza virus vaccine candidates have been made in plants via transient expression; the group is further investigating the potential of plants to make Rift Valley and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus and bluetongue virus vaccines and reagents; diversity studies and vaccine development for beak and feather disease virus of parrots, and making molecular diagnostics.

The Biopharming Research Unit (BRU) is based in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. The BRU has as its central mission the expression of pharmaceutically relevant recombinant proteins in plants and insect cells. Members of the Unit are inventors on possibly the largest portfolio of patents at UCT, and the largest molecular biotechnology portfolio in South Africa. Principal projects at present are the production of novel next-generation human papillomavirus vaccines and candidate vaccines against bluetongue virus of ruminants and African horsesickness virus.

Ed has authored or co-authored over 120 articles and 19 reviews in peer-reviewed journals and about 20 book chapters, as well as a number of popular or opinion articles and conference report-backs in journals.

Companies

• Director Biopharming Research Unit (2013)
• Member Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) (2004)
• Professor UCT Molecular & Cell Biology (1981)
• Academic Liaison, Research Portal Project, from 2011-2016 University of Cape Town (2011 — 2016)
• Visiting Scientist Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University (1990 — 1991)
• Visitor Plant Genetic Systems (1985 — 1985)

Education

• University of Cape Town - BSc, Hons, MSc, PhD, Microbiology, Chemistry; Virology 1974 - 1984
• St George's College - 1969 - 1973