Administrative Core - The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases at Northwestern University (C-THAN)

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

SUMMARY – ADMINISTRATIVE (ADMIN) CORE The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases at Northwestern (C-THAN) will be a vital partner as a Technology Research and Development Centers (TRDC) in the NIBIB Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network (POCTRN) focusing its mission to catalyze innovation in diagnostic technologies through a model that enhances complementary strengths to build multidisciplinary partnerships across technology platforms, clinical, regulatory and commercialization domains with a specific focus on HIV/AIDS and emerging infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The structure of C-THAN will consist of scientific and technology expertise in point-of-care (POC) and home-based diagnostics along with clinical study design and sites to facilitate the identification and integration of enabling technologies into devices that address the specific clinical needs of HIV/AIDS and emerging infectious diseases. C-THAN will be comprised of four Cores: Administrative, Technology, Clinical, and Dissemination. An emphasis will be directed to specific technology domains by establishing the following technology working groups (WG): 1) molecular, 2) lateral flow, 3) synthetic biology, and 4) product engineering. The Admin Core will provide the appropriate leadership and structure to manage the many facets of C-THAN, a large and complex TRDC. The Admin Core will serve as the managing component of C-THAN that is charged with leading the organization, governance of the center, collaboration within and outside POCTRN, communication and continuous quality improvement and efficiency of the activities. C-THAN will be directed by the MPIs, Drs. Chad Achenbach, MD, MPH, a biomedical engineer (BME) and medical doctor with expertise in infectious diseases and public health with over 20 years of experience in clinical research on HIV and emerging infectious diseases, Robert Murphy, MD, an infectious diseases trained research physician who has been working in Africa for more than 22 years, Sally McFall, PhD a biomedical engineer and expert in developing POC medical devices for Africa. They will be assisted by the C-THAN Steering Committee which will provide scientific and administrative oversight of C-THAN functions including review and selection of projects to receive sub-award funding. Key partner institutions of C-THAN include Northwestern University (lead partner); University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), Stellenbosch University, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Jos, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), and the University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD). The C-THAN consortium will build upon its 20-year history of infrastructure development and research training with key partners in Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and South Africa.