IHI Biomedical Sciences Group Joseph Mugasa, PhD, PD Stakeholders Meeting Jan 2013
Overview Biomedical group carries out a range of laboratory studies with the aim of understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of diseases Significantly contributes to the basic and applied research within IHI. IHI Biomedical scientists 6 PhDs and 12 MSc Two laboratories Ifakara and Bagamoyo
Expected output from Biomedical Sciences Group Through specific projects or laboratory-based technical support, BTG produce three key outputs: Drug targets Vaccine candidates Diagnostic tools
Some of the Achievements Prevalence of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance parasite genotypes in Tanzania Butimba N = 57 Mku zi n = 127 Key Site location n = Sample size Treatment failure dhfr-triple mutant dhfr-double mutant dhfr-single mutant dhfr-wild-type dhps-double mutant dhps-single mutant dhps-wild-type Kyela n = 67 Mlimba n = 59 Masas n = 73 Mugittu et al 2004 Am J Trop Med. 2004
IHI-Lab a reference centre for the WHO Combination Therapy Trials Sao Tomè WHO-CT trial sites
Main Research Areas Malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS Non-communicable diseases (specifically diabetes) Combinations of disease (co-morbidity) Correlates of protection for vaccines (immunological biomarkers), and Molecular surveillance of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases.
On going activities Genotyping for anti malaria drugs drugs efficacy Genotyping to MDR TB - MassArray Molecular evolution of ART HIV (CD4, VL sequencing) Plasmodium falciparum clonal diversity and malaria transmission
Molecular Entomology Gene flows of the main malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae and A. arabiensis Mosquitoes speciation Species responsible for transmission, distribution, Molecular bloodmeal analysis to identify reservoir of host (DNA). Infectivity to mosquitoes- understanding the transmission Dynamics, intensity of transmission, disease risk etc etc
TB Studies Ifakara Lab has acquired New GeneXpert System through Swiss TPH Improve TB diagnosis and care for HIV patients within KIULARCO Basic research Clinical trials Bagamoyo/Mwananyamala Evaluation of new TB diagnostics TB immunology and TB molecular epidemiology
TB studies cont d MassArray- High throughput screening for Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), Comparative Sequencing & Quantitative Gene Analysis Mapping Tanzania with TB genotypes- Ministry of Health, National TB and Leprosy Program- biorepository.
HIV/AIDS studies Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Early Infant Diagnosis reference lab for NACP HIV drug resistance surveillance. Effect of malaria co-morbidity on HIV acquisition Effect of Iron levels on HIV progression
Molecular Diagnosis The CFX96 Real-time PCR System can detect 6 different fluorescent dyes simultaneously and thus it is suitable for multi-pathogens detection in one clinical sample 1. NTB/MTB and Isoniazid (INH-R) and Rifampicin resistance (RIF-R) for MDR 2. Respiratory viruses- RV16 Detection 3. Human papillomavirus - HPV28 Detection 4. Sexually transmitted Infections (STI)- STI-7 Detection
New Studies Adherence assessment in HIV-infected patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cart) in rural Tanzania Pregnancy-specific serology as a novel tool to estimate the efficacy of malaria control strategies PfSPZ-7G8 Challenge in Tanzanian Adults (immunological markers) Epidemiology of Staphylococci and Staphylococcal Diseases in sub-saharan Africa Viral circulation and aetiology of non malarial fever
Services
Telepathology Histology Unit has been established at IHI Lab Provides support for StFRH, by preparing the histological slides and we are linked with Pathologist in Switzerland National Hospital
Services to CDCI at StFRH and other hospitals Clinical chemistry and hematology HIV viral load VL at baseline and after every 6 months (CD4) Genotypic HIV resistance testing in patients Sequencing Early Infant Diagnosis - PCR TB Diagnosis- PCR/GeneXpert Molecular Diagnosis services
DNA Genetic Analyser - Biotechnology, Forensic medicine and Biological systematics
Training
Besides conducting research IHI labs are involved in training Hands-on learning experiences on field practical attachment for local and international students Ifakara Lab- Focusing on approaches to malaria elimination i.e. diagnosis, genotyping etc.. Whereas Bagamoyo laboratory -Focus mainly on training medical and clinical Laboratory techniques. Short courses to the public will be conducted yearly at a small cost to cutter for the running cost. Senior staffs within biomedical sciences group are involved in supervision of MSc and PhD students from local universities ie Nelson Mandela, Dodoma University, Sokoine University and University of Dar es Salaam.
Biomedical Thematic Group in 5 years and Beyond Reference lab for genotyping resistance for Malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS Reference lab for NACP for HIV Diagnosis in Infants All IHI labs to have international Accreditation contacted UKNEQAS, CAPA and QUALOGY - TFDA and TBS Facilities within IHI BTG in medium term shall be opened up for public.
Thank you for listening