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Sandra Noël Bye PhDThe chief Research and Development biochemist of Rex, Rafferty & Argent Cosmeceuticals (Pty) Ltd is the renowned and accomplished Dr. Sandy Bye. The research laboratory of Rex, Rafferty & Argent from which Dr. Bye works is nestled in the picturesque and hilly area of Hilton, in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, South Africa. Dr. Bye also oversees the testing for various other multi-national's new product developments and product stability. She was born in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and attended the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg where she achieved her BSc - majoring in biochemistry, microbiology and plant pathology. She Cum Lauded her BSc Honors with biochemistry while holding a FRD bursary. She then did her MSc and upgraded to a PhD as a Post graduate Fellowship holder. Her PhD thesisDr. Bye wrote her thesis on the development of assays for atractyloside and its localization in rat tissue and during the course of her PhD, she investigated the toxicity of a traditional Zulu remedy, called Impila, which is known to have potent nephro- and heptatotoxic effects. The investigation was based on the nephrotoxin -atractyloside, and a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to aid its detection. Furthermore, antibodies to the toxin were raised in rabbits and subsequently used in the development of an immunoassay. The antibodies also aided the identification of the target sites of the toxin in dosed rats, using immunocytochemical electron microscopy. Part of this project involved her being invited to study at the Roben's Institute for Industrial and Environmental Health and Safety, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom, for six months and details of this are given below. Overseas research experienceIn 1990, she spent 6 months at the Roben's Institute for Industrial and Environmental Health and Safety, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom, where she was extensively involved in biomedical research, under the direction of Prof. Peter Bach, who was head of the Nephrotoxin Unit. Rats were dosed with a nephrotoxin and composite urine samples were collected over 20 hour periods. Urinalysis studies were performed, and the validity of both the immunoassay and HPLC method was tested using this biological fluid. In this manner the pharmacokinetics of the compound were briefly investigated. She was also exposed to various histological techniques, including enzyme histochemistry and immunocytochemistry via light and electron microscopy. PresentlyShe is, over-and-above her involvement with the development of cosmetics, also involved in the chemical analysis of substances of a biological nature, both chemical and microbiological. This includes the analysis of nutrients in agricultural feeds, toxins, quality control development, trace element analysis, development of diagnostic tests and optimization of existing methodology for a particular application. The laboratory of Rex, Rafferty & Argent is capital intensive, since the foundation of the business involves the use of highly technical instrumentation, namely high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the laboratory is self sufficient in terms of basic equipment. The laboratory employs a staff of five technicians and research assistants and Dr. Bye also corresponds and shares information with colleagues, associates and researchers in various parts of the world when compiling new innovative cosmetic compounds . PatentsDr Bye has invented a diagnostic test for tuberculosis, the rights of which have been sold to an outside company, which was patented in 80 countries. Scientific and Business Affiliations
Conference Abstracts by Dr Bye
Publications
Active ingredients used in Créme de Vie |
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