Natural Sciences

Natural product chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the isolation, purification, identification, structure elucidation and study of the chemical characteristics of chemical substances produced by living organisms and especially plants. The CSIR’s expertise in natural product chemis...

The CSIR’s skills base in oceanography and marine science includes specialised knowledge and expertise in numerical ocean modelling. Using current state-of-the-art technologies, it remains difficult to describe ocean circulation and dynamics from measurements. Satellites can observe some processe...

Water governance refers to the political, social, economic and administrative systems in place that influence water's use and management. Essentially, who gets what water, when and how, and who has the right to water and related services, and their benefits. The CSIR’s unique skills base in water...

The CSIR biodiversity and ecosystem services group is an interdisciplinary, applied research group with expertise in understanding and enhancing the governance of ecosystem services and social-ecological systems in multifunctional landscapes. The group applies varied methods and advanced analytic...

The ability to characterise the ultrastructure of biomass fibres is highly relevant for the pulp and paper industry. Using microscopy, CSIR researchers have developed a suit of techniques to provide insight into the mechanical and chemical processes used to treat wood and other biomass fibres to ...

Medicinal chemistry is the application of biology and chemistry to the design of new drugs for treating diseases. The CSIR’s medicinal chemists apply knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry and physiology to generate solutions to health-related problems. The CSIR has worked on several projects that ...

Molecular diagnostics is the use of molecular biology techniques to detect and characterise disease pathogens at a point-of-care, meaning in the field. The CSIR’s molecular diagnostics expertise is applicable in livestock disease outbreak; military sweeps for troop settlements; emergency first-re...

The CSIR’s skills base in atmospheric chemistry includes specialised knowledge and expertise in photochemistry modelling. The area of photochemistry modelling will help South Africa better manage and regulate emissions. This is important since the country faces significant challenges in meeting t...

Ecotoxicology is a scientific discipline combining the methods of ecology and toxicology in studying the effects of toxic substances and especially pollutants on the environment. Nanotoxicology is a branch of toxicology concerned with the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials. The CSIR is a lead...

The value of waste currently lost to South Africa’s economy through landfilling is estimated to be in excess of R17 billion per annum. Combined with the high unemployment in South Africa, the waste sector has been identified in both national and provincial strategy and policy documents, as a sect...