Harnessing technology and portability to conduct molecular epidemiology of endemic pathogens in resource-limited settings

Faust, C. L. et al. (2021) Harnessing technology and portability to conduct molecular epidemiology of endemic pathogens in resource-limited settings. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 115(1), pp. 3-5. (doi: 10.1093/trstmh/traa086) (PMID:32945867) (PMCID:PMC7788292)

Abstract

Improvements in genetic and genomic technology have enabled field-deployable molecular laboratories and these have been deployed in a variety of epidemics that capture headlines. In this editorial, we highlight the importance of building physical and personnel capacity in low and middle income countries to deploy these technologies to improve diagnostics, understand transmission dynamics and provide feedback to endemic communities on actionable timelines. We describe our experiences with molecular field research on schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis and rabies and urge the wider tropical medicine community to embrace these methods and help build capacity to benefit communities affected by endemic infectious diseases.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Faust, Christina and Lamberton, Professor Poppy and Ryan, Miss Mary and Brunker, Dr Kirstyn
• Authors: Faust, C. L., Brunker, K., Ajambo, D., Ryan, M., Moses, A., Rowel, C., Wangoola, R. M., Wampande, E. M., Guma, A., Adriko, M., Lamberton, P. H.L., Tukahebwa, E. M., Mugenyi, A., and Waiswa, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0035-9203
• ISSN (Online): 1878-3503
• Published Online: 18 September 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 115(1):3–5
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301620		The Science of Rabies Elimination	Katie Hampson	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	207569/Z/17/Z	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine
173707		Institutional Strategic Support Fund (2016)	Anna Dominiczak	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	204820/Z/16/Z	Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences
300909		Moving from laboratory-based to real-time genomic surveillance of canine rabies virus in the field.	Kirstyn Brunker	Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH)	GR000892	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine
306188		EPSRC-GCRF Global Impact Accelerator Account 2018 UofG	Jonathan Cooper	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/S51584X/1	Research and Innovation Services
172876		SCHISTO-PERSIST	Poppy Lamberton	European Research Council (ERC)	680088	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine