Training of Cameroonian Scientists in Research on Malaria

描述（由申请人提供）：疟疾是由恶性疟原虫引起的，是当今世界三大传染病之一。一些非洲国家采取了控制措施，包括驱虫蚊帐、快速诊断测试和间歇性预防治疗，减少了疟疾的流行，但在公共卫生资源贫乏的中非，疟疾仍然高度流行。严重感染风险最高的是孕妇和幼儿。随着疟疾形势的迅速变化，现在比以往任何时候都更需要训练有素的非洲科学家来监测不断变化的形势。喀麦隆的科学家正在积极参与疟疾研究，但是需要更多的专业知识和师资来识别与疟疾有关的问题，并设计解决这些问题的策略。因此，该应用程序的目的是帮助喀麦隆的年轻科学家获得开展疟疾研究所需的技能，重点是孕妇和婴儿的疟疾。1994年，喀麦隆雅温迪大学和乔治敦大学的科学家开始在生物技术中心（BTC）合作研究疟疾。通过美国国立卫生研究院的持续拨款支持和母婴健康研究培训计划（MCHRT）的培训资助，BTC由5名全职教师、60名训练有素的技术人员和40名学生组成的团队正在进行研究。之前的学员希望在美国完成博士后和住院医师项目后回国。该应用程序提出了帮助BTC疟疾小组获得所需的临界质量和专业知识的方法，以制定长期可持续的疟疾研究计划。该应用程序的具体目标是提供BTC目前缺乏的专业知识，以补充正在进行的研究。培训领域包括1)抗疟疾药物的使用（药代动力学、寄生虫耐药性的演变和临床试验设计），2)胎盘免疫学，重点是流式细胞术，3)疟疾和其他疾病之间的合并感染，4)使用超声波监测胎儿发育，5)媒介生物学。该项目包括培训3名博士级和4名硕士级学生，指导回国的妇产科和传染病临床医生，以及培训当地医生的超声技术。建议由前FIC学员设计和举办三个国内讲习班。这些培训活动将大大有助于实现在BTC建立一批科学家的长期目标，他们的研究将继续改善孕妇及其新生儿的保健。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is one of the three major infectious diseases in the world today. The introduction of control measures including insecticide-treated bednets, rapid diagnostic tests, and intermittent preventative treatment (IPT) have reduced the prevalence of malaria in a number of African countries, yet malaria remains highly endemic in central Africa where public health resources are poor. At highest risk of severe infections are pregnant women and young children. More than ever, well-trained African scientists are needed to monitor the changing landscape as the malaria picture rapidly changes. Scientists in Cameroon are actively engage in research on malaria, but additional expertise and faculty are needed to identify malaria- related problems as they arise and design strategies to solve them. Therefore, the purpose of this application is to help young Cameroonian scientists acquired the skills necessary for conducting research on malaria, with a focus on malaria in pregnant women and infants. In 1994, scientists at the University of Yaoundi 1, Cameroon, and Georgetown University began collaborating on malaria at the Biotechnology Center (BTC). Through continuous NIH grant support and a training grant from the Maternal and Child Health Research Training Program (MCHRT), a group of 5 full- time faculty members, >6 well-trained technicians, and ~40 students are conducting research at the BTC. Previous trainees wish to return after completing their post-doctoral and residency programs in the USA. This application proposes ways to help the malaria group at the BTC acquire the critical mass and expertise it needs to develop a long-term sustainable research program on malaria. The specific goal of the application is to provide expertise that is currently lacking at the BTC that would supplement on-going research. Areas of training include 1) use of anti-malarial drugs (pharmacokinetics, evolution of parasite-drug resistance, and clinical trial design), 2) immunology of the placenta, with emphasis on flow cytometry, 3) co-infections between malaria and other diseases, 4) use of ultrasound for monitoring fetal development, and 5) vector biology. The program includes training of 3 PhD-level and 4 MS-level students, mentoring of returning clinicians(s) in OB/GYN and infectious diseases, and training of local physicians in ultrasound. Three in-country workshops designed and conducted by former FIC trainees are proposed. These training activities will significantly contribute to the long-term goal of creating a group of scientists at the BTC whose research will continue to improve the health care of pregnant women and their newborns. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Malaria is a major health problem throughout sub-Saharan Africa, especially in central Africa where the disease is endemic and public health resources are poor. Pregnant women and their newborns are at a high risk of severe infections, often resulting in premature deliveries, low birth weight babies, and infant mortality. This application proposes to train outstanding young scientists working at the Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundi 1, Cameroon, to conduct research on malaria in order to improve health care of pregnant Cameroonian women and their newborns.