
Biography
Dr Arshad Mather completed his PhD degree in Biochemistry (Molecular Biology) at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2005. He joined the Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR) in 2006 as Senior Researcher in the New Generation Vaccines (NGV) Programme. In 2010 he was promoted to Project Manager for "Antigen identification and expression". In 2020 he was promoted to Research Team Manager for the Vaccines and Diagnostics Development Programme at the ARC-OVR. Much of Dr Mather's research to date has focused on the development of vaccines and diagnostics to effectively manage and control veterinary diseases of importance. His diseases of interest include Lumpy skin disease and Rift valley fever with a special focus on vectored vaccine development. Research interests
Dr Mathers research interests are quite diverse and focus on several key areas within biochemistry, cell biology, and veterinary science. He has a strong background in molecular biology techniques, including protein expression and purification, cloning, and PCR. His work has also involved vaccine development and testing in animals, as well as Halaal sciences and testing.
He has led strategic research programs in a multi-disciplinary environment, collaborating across various institutes. His supervision of specialist researchers from different science disciplines highlights his leadership in the field. Additionally, he has been involved in the development of diagnostic tests and disease surveillance, particularly for lumpy skin disease in cattle.
His publications in peer-reviewed journals cover a range of topics, including the development of multivalent vaccines, the characterization of immunomodulatory gene knockouts, and the identification of antigens for diagnostic assays. He has also contributed to patents related to recombinant lumpy skin disease virus knock-out mutants.
His research interests are centred around improving animal health through innovative vaccine development, diagnostic testing, and molecular biology techniques.
Projects you're working on
• 2022-2025 Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) - Development of a DIVA assay for Lumpy skin disease
• 2017-2019 Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) - Evaluation of a lumpy skin disease diagnostic test and disease surveillance in Gauteng.
• 2014-2018 International Development Research Centre (IDRC) CIFSRF phase 2 project 107848 - Novel livestock vaccines for viral diseases in Africa towards improving food security.
• 2014-2014 USAID’s Global Research and Innovation Fellowship Network (GRIFN) - Surface imprinted particles for selective recognition of African horse sickness virus.
• 2012-2014 International Development Research Centre (IDRC) CIFSRF project 106930 - Livestock vaccines against viral diseases for developing farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
• 2010-2014 Biotechnology and biological sciences research council (BBSRC) CIDLID grant BB/H009450/1 - Antimicrobials and improved diagnostics towards integrated control of CBPP.
• 2006-2009 French ministry of foreign and European affairs LABOVET PSF project FSP 2003-24 - Collaborative project involving five African veterinary research laboratories for the control and surveillance of animal diseases. Discipline
Clinical trials – efficacy Immunology – B-cells Molecular biology Protein biology Virology Host species
Cattle Pigs Small ruminants Zoonoses Pathogen
Viruses Viruses›Capripoxvirus Viruses›Peste des petits ruminants virus Viruses›Poxviruses Viruses›Rift Valley fever virus Stage of vaccine development
Antigen discovery and immunogen design Clinical trials Correlates of protection – immunomonitoring Vaccine delivery