Edith M. Antunes

Dr. Edith M. Antunes, affiliated with North-West University, is a leading researcher in marine natural products, nanotechnology, and photophysics. Her work focuses on bioactive compounds from South African seaweeds and sponges for antimicrobial and anticancer applications.

• Marine Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine

Her research integrates marine-derived secondary metabolites with nanotechnological innovations, such as gold nanoparticles for cytotoxic alkaloid delivery and stearic acid solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance variabilin’s anticancer activity. Key methodologies include photophysical characterization and catalytic microsphere development.

Dr. Antunes has published in journals like Molecules, Materials, and Chemistry - A European Journal, with sponsorship trends highlighting support from the National Research Foundation, Medical Research Council, and United States Agency for International Development.

Notable funded projects include:

• National Research Foundation (NRF)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• United States Agency for International Development (USAID)