Tropical and Infectious Diseases PDF Print E-mail

ImageTropical and Infectious Diseases mostly affect poor countries in Africa and are one of the major challenges of medical research. In Addition new, emerging and re-emerging infections are occurring all the time. Hence it seems that devastating infections will always be with us.  This department was formed with an aim of using primates in developing diagnostics, prophylactics and therapeutics against tropical diseases.The strengths of the department are: first, a team of highly trained and committed scientists and technologists who are applying modern research approaches; secondly, the availability of African Green monkeys and Baboons that have been developed as animal models for studying tropical and infectious diseases. These animals are ideal disease models since they are infected with most of the human infections and their response to the infections is similar to humans. Finally, the department bosats unique technologies that have been developed over the years. These include perfusion techniques for schistosome worm recovery in rodents and baboons, DNA vaccination by electroporation in baboons, transfection of P. knowlesi and long term in vitro culture of P. knowlesi.

PROGRAMMES

ImageThe department has five programmes SCHISTOSOMIASIS programme is focused on developing drugs and vaccines against the infection. This research is done in the baboon. MALARIA programme aims at developing the baboon as an animal which can be used in understanding malaria parasite biology and in the development of drugs and vaccines against malaria.  LEISHMANIASIS is a programme which has been using the African green monkey in developing drugs and vaccines against kalazaar. VIROLOGY programme focuses on HIV/AIDS and related viruses. TRYPANOSOMIASIS programme was recently started with an aim of developing diagnostics and therapies against Human African Trypanosomiasis.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The department conducts basic research in drug and vaccine development against schistosomiasis (bilharzias), malaria, leishmaniasis (kalazar) and viral diseases. These are diseases of huge economic importance in Kenya and the developing world.  In Kenya, Bilharzia is a serious disease along the cost and lake Victoria basin. Malaria is basically found in the entire country while  kalazaar outbreaks are common in the drier parts
of the country.

The department is conducting research in the following areas:

  • Radiation attenuated cercaria as a vaccine against schistosomiasis
  • Development of new diagnostic techniques against schistosomiasis that can more accurately evaluate vaccination success, cure rates and infection levels in humans.
  • Testing first generation and novel anti-schistosomal vaccine candidates generated using state-of-the art molecular approaches for their safety and efficacy in baboons
  • Host responses in baboons infected with malaria parasites
  • Developing the baboons as a model for malaria in pregnancy
  • Developing attenuated malaria parasites using transfection technology
  • Developing new therapies against malaria using traditional medicines approach
  • Testing old and new drugs for their antimalarial activities
  • Preclinical development of vaccine candidates against malaria
  • Developing and testing drugs against leishmaniasis
  • Development of the African green monkey as a model of both the cutaneous and the more severe viscera form of the disease
  • Schistosomiasis and malaria con-infections
  • Developing a baboon model of HIV/AIDS.

STAFF

ImageThe department has five senior research scientists (PhD levels); 5 research scientists (BSc and MSc holders) and eight technologists (with  diploma or other professional qualification).  There are also scientists who are not employees but are affiliated to the department
as research associates and work closely with departmental staff. 

FUNDING AND COLLABORATIONS

Support for the work carried out over the years has come from various collaborators and funding agencies including: The world Health Organization, European Union, National Institutes of Health USA and Universities in Europe and USA

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

There is a strong emphasis on training at all levels. At any one time senior scientists have students attached to their projects from local institutions who would be undertaking Phd, MSc or other academic programs. Staff of the department are also encouraged and supported to pursue higher studies in local and foreign universities and polytechnics.

PUBLICATIONS
Several publications from the department are published in international peer review journals. In addition, a number of papers and posters are presented at local and international meetings.
INQUIRIES:

Head of TID
Head of TID
Please direct your inquires to:
Dr. Hastings Ozwara,PH.D
Head of Department,
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