Dr Palesa Pamela Seele
About me
I am Dr. Palesa Pamela Seele, a scientist specializing in biochemistry, chemical biology, nanotechnology, and infectious disease diagnostics. I hold a PhD in Chemical Biology from the University of Cape Town and an MSc from the University of the Witwatersrand. My research interests centre on the development of innovative infectious disease diagnostics, particularly rapid, accessible, and point-of-care technologies for tuberculosis (Other diseases as well), complemented by interests in therapeutic target identification, rational drug design and targeted delivery. I am particularly interested in translating research in biochemistry, nanotechnology, and molecular biology into practical technologies that address global health challenges and improve access to healthcare in underserved populations. A key achievement in my research career has been leading the development of a TB-antigen rapid diagnostic technology, with the potential to improve access to TB diagnosis in underserved populations. I have successfully secured competitive research funding through the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Self-Initiated Research Grant, the National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka Grant, and Mintek Science Vote funding. In recognition of my contribution to science and innovation, I was named a 2025 Black Women in Science Fellow. I actively contribute to the scientific community through research publications, peer review, student mentorship and supervision, multidisciplinary collaborations, and the translation of research into impactful technologies.
I am Dr. Palesa Pamela Seele, a scientist passionate about advancing healthcare solutions through biochemistry, nanotechnology, and infectious disease diagnostics. I hold a PhD in Chemical Biology from the University of Cape Town and an MSc from the University of the Witwatersrand. My research interests are in the development of rapid diagnostic technologies that address pressing global health challenges, structural biology and rational drug design, and translational biomarkers.
One of my major career highlights is leading the development of a novel TB-antigen rapid diagnostic test to a functional prototype. This innovation addresses a critical need for accurate and accessible TB diagnostics, particularly in underserved populations, and reflects my commitment to translating science into real-world impact.
I have secured several competitive research grants, including the SAMRC Self-Initiated Research Grant, NRF Thuthuka, and the Mintek Science Vote. In recognition of my leadership and advocacy for diversity in STEM, I was named a Black Women in Science (BWIS) Fellow in 2025. My scholarly contributions include multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, alongside keynote presentations such as my address on lateral flow immunoassay development hosted by ACGT and Wits University. I also serve as a reviewer for leading journals and for the NRF’s grant application reviews for emerging researchers.
Other Memberships/Affiliations
Degrees:
2. Ballim, T., Seele, P.P., Mpye, K.L. and Khoza, T.N. (2025) “Using reverse vaccinology to construct multi-epitope subunit vaccine candidates for Klebsiella pneumoniae”. Human Immunology, 86, 111568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humimm.2025.111568
3. Seele, P.P.; Dyan, B.; Skepu, A.; Maserumule, C.; Sibuyi, N.R.S. (2023). Development of Gold-Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassays for Rapid Detection of TB ESAT-6 and CFP-10. Biosensors, 13, 354. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/13/3/354
4. Mathumba, P., Seele, P.P., Bilibana, M.P. (2023). Rhodamine B photocatalytic activity and the synthesis of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles mediated by Vachellia hebeclada (Acacia hebeclada) [Preprint – Research Square] https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2772238/v1
5. Naicker, P., Seele, P., Dirr, H. W. and Sayed, Y. (2013). F99 is critical for dimerization and activation of South African HIV-1 Subtype C Protease. Protein J., 32, 560 – 567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10930-013-9517-y
6. Dyan, B., Seele, P., Skepu, A., Mdluli, P., Mosebi, S. and Sibuyi, N.R.S. (2022). A review of the Nucleic Acid-Based Lateral Flow Assay for detection of breast cancer from circulating biomarkers at a point-of-care in low-income countries. Diagnostics, 12, 1973. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/12/8/1973
7. Thomford, N. E., Senthebane, D.A., Rowe, A., Munro, D., Seele, P., Maroyi, A. and Dzobo, K. (2018). Natural Products for Drug Discovery in the 21st Century: Innovations for Novel Drug Discovery. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 19: 1578. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061578
8. Chibagidi, R., Seele, P. P., & Saasa, V. (2026). Graphene Oxide (GO) and Gold Nanoparticles (AuNP) Facilitated Electrochemical Biosensing for Lung Cancer Diagnosis. Diagnostics, 16(14), 2179. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16142179
2. Seele, P. P., Sibuyi, N.R.S., Van der Walt, H. and Maserumule, C. (2025) “Aptasensors: Selective and powerful tool for infectious diseases diagnosis”. In S. Kanchi, A. Bathinapatla, A. Varghese and P.S. Mdluli (Ed). Advances in Nano-Biosensor Technologies for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases. Scrivener publishing LLC (Wiley, United States), https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394287697.ch9
3. Seele, P.P., Mlambo, M. (2024) “Antimicrobial Applications of MXenes”. In M.A. Quraishi, C. Verma and E. Berdimurodov (Eds). MXenes as Surface-Active Advanced Materials. Elsevier Limited publisher, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-13589-7.00009-2
4. Seele, P.P. (2024). “Structure-function relationships in the modification of liposomes for targeted drug delivery in infectious diseases”. In B.S. Weeks (Ed). Liposomes - A Modern Approach in Research. IntechOpen Publishers, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.1005515
5. Seele, P.P. and Mathumba, P. (2023). “Carbon dots in detection of biological molecules and metal ions”. In E. Berdimurodov and D. Verma (Eds). Carbon dots in biology (pp. 78 – 108). De Gruyters publisher. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110799958-005/html.
6. Seele, P.P. and Mathumba, P. (2023). “Carbon dots in detection of biological molecules and metal ions”. In E. Berdimurodov and D. Verma (Eds). Carbon dots in biology (pp. 78 – 108). De Gruyters publisher. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110799958-005/html
Garden Court Milpark, Johannesburg, South Africa