|
India, South Africa to begin collaborative research on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis
|
|
Ramesh Shankar, Mumbai
September 01 , 2016
|
|
|
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in collaboration with Department
of Science & Technology, and the Department of Science &
Technology, Government of South Africa, and South African Medical
Research Council will soon embark on a collaborative research programme
on HIV, TB and TB/HIV. The programme would be under the framework of
bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement between the
Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and
Technology, Governments of India and South Africa.
The thrust
areas of the programme would be on development of preventive HIV vaccine
by designing immunogens that can elicit potent and broadly neutralizing
antibodies; isolation and characterization of neutralizing MAbs
effective against clade C HIV-1 viruses for use in combination
therapies, passive immunization, and/or for designing preventive
vaccines; Creation of cohorts of TB patients with HIV-1 co-infection and
formation of national biorepositories (for breath condensates, blood,
tissue etc.)to facilitate immunological studies on HIV and TB; and
identification of biomarkers and development of novel assays for
diagnosis and management of tuberculosis and tuberculosis with HIV
co-infection.
The DBT's initiative in this regard is significant
as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) are the
leading causes of death in adults and children in both India and South
Africa, and the impact of the converging dual epidemics is one of the
major public health challenges of our time. Development of effective
biomedical tools and solutions for diagnosis, prevention and treatment
of AIDS and tuberculosis is required to address challenges in disease
management and control.
Interdisciplinary research in these
areas will not only accelerate development of transformational
technologies but also help to develop capabilities and solutions for
these unconquered diseases. The proposal should be geared towards
product development or have clinically useful applications. It should
have intra country linkages and a strong collaborative component
utilizing complementary expertise of both countries, and addressing
regional needs.
Scientists in either country could also submit
proposals in case they have an existing product or a proof of concept
and they would like to access facilities in either country for a
collaborative framework to help facilitate product development in an
accelerated manner (e.g. manufacturing, preclinical testing etc.). The
programme is aimed to facilitate partnerships between research
institutions in India and South Africa. This programme will leverage
upon existing scientific capacities, enable technology transfer and
catalyze mentorship/training. Thus, this collaboration will
synergistically advance discovery efforts towards development of new
technologies and products for prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and
TB by building scientific leadership capacity, fostering a sustainable
environment for translational research and enhancing clinical
capability/capacity. In South Africa, this call for proposal is open to
researchers residing in South Africa and who are affiliated with a
recognized higher educational or research institution such as a
university, university of technology or science council. The South
African applicant must be in possession of a PhD. Private sector
companies are not eligible for this call. In India, the lead Indian
applicants should be scientists/faculty members working in regular
capacity in universities, academic institutes or national research and
development laboratories/institutes. Private sector companies are not
eligible for this call.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
That foods might provide therapeutic benefits is clearly not a new concept. ...
|
|
|
|
|