Dr Winnie Ramaloko received a PhD in Microbiology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) following research into sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens that can remain hidden while contributing to serious reproductive health challenges.
Ramaloko’s research focused on Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species in Limpopo Province. These species often present no symptoms and coexist with other sexually transmitted infection-causing bacteria, so are frequently overlooked in routine clinical screening, resulting in severe reproductive health issues.
Her research has produced South Africa’s first integrated genomic and epigenomic profiles of urogenital Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma bacteria, providing important insight into organisms that are among the smallest free-living bacteria and are notoriously difficult to detect with conventional diagnostic methods.
Ramaloko said her passion for research was a major motivation for pursuing a doctorate at UKZN.
“The University is widely known and recognised as one of Africa’s research-intensive institutions with great opportunities for collaboration and growth,” she said.
Ramaloko’s interest in the research area was driven by two factors: “In addition to my desire to focus on silent, underdiagnosed pathogens, among my biggest concerns are the increasing antibiotic resistance rates in these species.”
She used various phenotypic and molecular methods – including genomic, epigenetic and transcriptomics approaches – to understand how these pathogens persist in the human reproductive tracts despite the presence of antibiotic pressure.
Working with clinical urine samples collected through surveillance efforts in Limpopo Province, Ramaloko applied PacBio long-read sequencing technology to build a detailed genomic and epigenomic map of strains, capturing their genetic makeup as well as the chemical modifications that regulate how these bacteria survive, adapt and resist treatment.
Her study: ‘Epigenomic and Transcription-Related Regulation of Resistance and Virulence in Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species’, was supervised by Dr Nontuthuko Maningi, with co-supervisors Professor John Osei Sekyere and Professor Nathlee Abbai.
The research identified a high prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species) in Limpopo. Additionally, the study identified mechanisms and regulatory strategies that drive persistence and treatment failure in urogenital mycoplasmas. Specifically, these minimal pathogens use DNA methylation patterns and translation-related strategies to regulate pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance.
The significance of the work extends beyond the laboratory, particularly given the potential consequences of undetected urogenital infections. These organisms have been linked to infertility, pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, yet remain underdiagnosed and underrepresented in South Africa’s public health surveillance systems.
For Ramaloko, completing a PhD is also a stepping stone towards further research.
“My plans involve expanding my research in infectious disease genomics and understanding how emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria adapt to treatment,” she said. “I aim to continue contributing to solutions for critical public health challenges in South Africa.”
Away from research, Ramaloko enjoys trying new cooking and baking recipes.
Reflecting on her journey, she drew inspiration from Winston Churchill’s words: “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”
“Anything is possible with God, and I am grateful to my supportive family,” she said.
Words: Sally Frost
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini