Meet the Team
PROF BEN LOOS
CEO, DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Ben is a professor of physiological sciences at SU. For the past eleven years he has led the Neuro Research Group (NRG), which focuses on autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases, brain cancer and neuronal injury. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Phagoflux and a co-founder. His work has sought to understand better the role of autophagy activity in cell death onset to better quantify and control autophagy function.
PROF WILLEM PEROLD
DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Willie is an electronic engineer with 37 years of academic experience at Stellenbosch University, retiring in December 2018. He currently leads the multidisciplinary Sensor Applications & Nano-Devices (SAND) research group in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering. The SAND research group focuses on nanotechnological biosensing devices, including piezoelectric sensors utilising ZnO nanowires to detect pathogens, impedimetric sensors for bacterial and viral infections, autophagy sensors, cancer screening sensors, paper-based biosensors, electro-chemical biosensors and microfluidic devices.
PROF PIETER FOURIE
CO-FOUNDER
Pieter is an electronic engineer who subsequently pursued studies in medicine. He earned a Ph.D. in Medical Physiology, seamlessly integrating electronic theory with medical concepts. Eventually, he transitioned into the field of pediatrics, specializing in auto-immune and neurological disorders. Over a span of 5 years, he led the Bioengineering Research Group at the Faculty of Engineering. Currently, Pieter is dedicated to advancing the commercialization of medical technologies, concurrently managing his clinical practice.
NICOLA VAHRMEIJER
CLO
Nicola is a PhD-student in physiology at Stellenbosch University under Prof Loos’ supervision. Her MSc focused on autophagy and neuronal injury, specifically unraveling the role of a potential peptide in protecting neurons from injury. Nicola has acquired unique skills that include not only molecular, biochemical, and tissue-culture-based techniques, but also real time confocal microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, electron microscopy and correlative light and electron microscopy.
NATHAN BROWN
CTO
Nathan is a master’s graduate in electronic engineering and part of Prof Perold’s SAND laboratory research group. His co-supervisor is Prof Loos. Nathan’s research is tied in with Phagoflux to develop the electronics needed for the sensor and the measurement of autophagy.
TAMRYN BARRON – VAN BLERK
COO
Tamryn is a MSc Neurophysiology graduate who conducted her research under the guidance of Professor Benjamin Loos. Her research leveraged advanced imaging techniques and machine learning algorithms to investigate the interplay between the autophagy and mitochondria systems in the context of SARS-CoV-2. At PhagoFlux she oversees the day-to-day operations of the business, encompassing responsibilities such as marketing, customer engagement and discovery, investor relations, and regulatory compliance management. In parallel, she provides support to life science research endeavors.
Prof JAN-HENDRIK HOFMEYR
DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry (formerly Distinguished Professor), Jannie Hofmeyr, has been a member of the Biochemistry Department, University of Stellenbosch, since 1975. His research expertise lies in Computational Systems Biology, with main focus the understanding of regulatory design of metabolism. He has made numerous fundamental contributions to the development of metabolic control analysis and computational systems biology, and with Athel Cornish-Bowden developed both co-response analysis and supply-demand analysis as a basis for understanding metabolic regulation. Results from this research formed the basis for the development with André du Toit and Ben Loos of a method to measure autophagic flux.
DR ANDRÉ DU TOIT
CO-FOUNDER
André is a post-doc fellow in the Phan research group in Sweden, broadening his analytical techniques in neurochemistry. He is investigating lipid and protein turnover in oligodendrocytes in Schinzel-Giedion Syndrome (SGS) human cell model and mouse model using NanoSIMS and correlative imaging techniques. His PhD focused on analytical techniques, computational modelling and fluorescence-based microscopy in the context of autophagy. Upon completing his PhD, he started working for Phagoflux and BioCode focusing on surface chemistry, immobilizing proteins on various substrates for tissue culture (manipulating cells attachment, shape and motility) and bio-sensor development. While working in Sweden, he remains actively involved in Phagoflux.