The University of Cape Town is in line to bring to the city a R22 million research laboratory that will be only the third of its kind in the world.

Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena announced yesterday that UCT's Institute for Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine will be South Africa's candidate to host the third International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

South Africa will go up against Nigeria and Tanzania to win the right to host this new facility.

A world-class facility of this nature will be a magnet for the best scientists and will attract research funding that could set the stage for breakthroughs in treatment for diseases ravaging the region.

The centre's emphasis is on health-related research and projects aimed at finding sustainable ways to use biotechnology to boost agriculture.

The main focus for health biotechnology is HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.

UCT vice-chancellor Professor Njabulo Ndebele said UCT was home to more than one-third of South Africa's 55 A-rated scientists, regarded internationally as world leaders in their fields.

Moreover, nine of a total 46 South African Medical Research Council-funded research centres were based at UCT, which also boasted two centres of excellence accredited by the national Department of Science and Technology.

UCT professor Iqbal Parker said the choice of the university as the next international research centre would bring with it in-house research projects, long-term post-doctoral fellowships, short-term fellowships, a PhD programme and a collaborative research grant programme.

Professor Greg Hussey, head of the UCT institute, said if the final decision was in Cape Town's favour, it would allow them to push further with their current goal of doing relevant and significant high-quality research.