Reading-the-bones research streamlined with new AMS laboratory

An accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) laboratory, a first for the continent, is set to establish South Africa as a leader in global accelerator-based research.

Welcoming the launch of the new AMS facility at iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences at the University of Johannesburg recently, Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor said growth in the field of science required more than people.

“We need not just human capital, but the facilities that will allow our scientists to [exercise their creativity],” said Pandor.

Although primarily used for radiocarbon dating of historical artefacts, biological, geological and hydrological material, the sophisticated equipment has application potential for Alzheimer’s and cancer research, according to information portal SouthAfrica.info.

AMS is designed to determine the presence and amount of specific elements in a sample. It does this by means of a particle accelerator.

Having access to such sophisticated technology is of particular interest to palaeontologists for two reasons. They can use it to determine the age of fossils without damaging them, and the dating can be done at home. Previously, the process involved shipping samples to similar facilities overseas.

Although Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria have particle accelerators, South Africa’s is the only facility with an AMS laboratory.

Welcoming the opening of the new facility, Maropeng’s Lindsay Marshall said: “Maropeng supports any investment in science that will aid the growth of the field of palaeoanthropology.”

Watch footage of the unveiling of the all-new facility below. Video (c) SABC digital news