Evolutionary Studies Institute: The richness and completeness of South Africa’s fossil record makes it a prime laboratory for studying the origins of species through time, including human origins.

URC Protein Structure Function Research Unit: Four principal investigators run four research groups that delve into the structural and functional intricacies of a variety of proteins implicated in globally relevant diseases.

Rock Art Research Institute: Rock art is one of the most evocative of all the pieces of heritage left for us by our ancient ancestors. Over 35 years of research has contributed to making southern African rock arts some of the best-understood in the world.

CIWaRD: Research-based solutions to complex and interconnected challenges. Research covers all aspects of water, such as acid mine drainage, sanitation challenges, environmental law, and climate change, through the lens of the global South.

Structured Light Laboratory: A small, diverse and dynamic group researching Structured Light and its applications.

Integrative Cancer Biology Research Laboratory: Research is focused on characterising the role of cholesterol-related pathways in three aggressive cancers namely breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancer.

Mandelstam Institute for Theoretical Physics: Conducting research in mathematical physics, chaos, condensed matter physics, quantum field theory, quantum gravity and string theory.