On the grounds of the Morogoro Hospital in rural Tanzania, Seattle BioMed and Tanzanian scientists have established a clinical research laboratory. The goals of the lab are to:
- Build capacity within Tanzania to support maternal and early childhood biomedical research through technology transfer
- Provide training at the medical technologist, M.Sc., Ph.D., and postdoctoral levels in tropical health and maternal/child health to African students and scientists
- Enhance the clinical laboratory and facilities of the hospital
Seattle BioMed Visiting Scientist Patrick Duffy, M.D. [1], and Principal Investigator Michal Fried, Ph.D [2]., work with their Tanzanian colleagues and young scientists in training to study malaria in pregnant mothers and their newborn babies, as well as severe malaria in children.
The broad objective of this research laboratory is to establish a center of excellence in Tanzania that focuses on malaria of pregnant women and children, with an emphasis on research to identify new targets for vaccine development. The laboratory is integrated into the hospital, and the investment in research is leveraged to enhance the training and facilities of the clinical staff, such as the introduction of shared Internet resources and power-generation capabilities.