HET KONINKLIJK INSTITUUT VOOR DE TROPEN, (KIT) MAURITSKADE 63 , AMSTERDAM, 95001, 1092 AD, Netherlands represented by Dr Henk Schallig ( h.schallig@kit.nl ) Dr Petra Mens (p.mens@kit.nl)
Partner information The Royal Tropical Institute
(Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen, KIT) Netherlands, is an international knowledge institute. The Department of Biomedical Research concentrates on developing, evaluating and implementing methods for the detection of
infectious diseases, with the aim of developing the concept of "essential diagnostics" analogous to the concept of "essential drugs" that is maintained by the W.H.O. The Parasitological Unit of KIT Biomedical Research
(Head Dr. Henk Schallig) has gained ample experience in the development and improvement of diagnostic procedures of malaria and the development of molecular techniques for the detection and quantification of very low
numbers of parasites in blood samples. (Quantitative nucleic acid sequence based amplification QT-NASBA) This facility will be invaluable in WP4 for certifying samples for levels of infection.
KIT will be leading WP8 (Clinical Evaluation and Field Tests). The Parasitological Unit of KIT Biomedical Research has an extensive network of collaborative research institutes within the Netherlands and abroad.
Particular relevant for the present proposal are its links with Kenya Medical Research Institute (Nairobi, Kenya) and the Blue Nile Research and Training Institute (Wad Medani, Sudan) see section B3 for more details.
This is an essential to allow the planning of field test programme as will be required in WP8. KIT also has a major role in WP4 in the provision of samples, and in WP8 during clinical evaluation. Ample
laboratory space to accommodate the work is available including a "ML-II facility", which is obligatory for the culture of Plasmodium parasites and to work with genetically modified organisms (according to
EU regulation 98/81) is housed within the department. As far as work with infectious organisms or genetically modified organisms is concerned, this work will be done under strict controlled laboratory conditions only
and obeying local legislation and guidelines regarding bio-safety, production and use of genetically modified organisms. KIT therefore offer the project the exact facilities and skill set required to fulfill this
important role, with an excellent international reputation in the field. www.kit.nl |
