PDNA-GEME

Two recent infectious disease outbreaks (Ebola and Covid-19) have loudly demonstrated how small a village our planet Earth is. They brought death, major suffering, and terrible economic consequences in the directly affected countries and to the World. Each country needs to be adequately prepared to face these and similar health issues now and in the future. Infectious diseases epidemic and pandemic preparedness nowadays should start with developing human capital and infrastructure in genetics and molecular epidemiology as these are front-line tools for identifying the pathogens, developing diagnostics to measure the spread of the disease in space and time, inventing therapeutics and prevention tools to limit transmission, morbidity or mortality. These are all required right in the country where the epidemic/pandemic starts to save lives, protect the people of that country and the rest of the World. The Pathogens genomic Diversity Network -Africa (PDNA) is an African-led research network with membership in sixteen countries. PDNA includes Francophone, Lusophone and Anglophone countries. It seeks to investigate pathogens genetic diversity in different eco-epidemiological areas across sub-Saharan Africa with the overarching aim of informing disease control and elimination strategies. The overall aim of this proposal is to sharply increase the level of preparedness of PDNA member countries in epidemic and pandemic response preparedness.

In addition to our own studies, this new infrastructure will receive samples from the National Public Health and other Ministry of Health facilities, sequence them, analyze the data and return the results to the health authorities. We will also participate in trainings of local and regional technicians in public health genomics.

Molecular epidemiology of pathogens in PDNA countries

We will set up a PDNA Genomics for Infectious Diseases control and Epidemics Preparedness-GIDEP (PDNA-GIDEP) infrastructure in Mali to serve not only Mali but other PDNA countries, primarily the Francophone and Lusophone countries.

Setting up infrastructure for genetics and molecular epidemiology

We will set-up a new genomics facility with a flexible governance system amenable to primarily serving the needs of countries that are members of our Network. The facility will be equipped with basic molecular biology and genomics equipment and infrastructure.

Training next generation scientists in genetics and molecular biology

We will provide focused classroom and hands-on training in Molecular Biology, pathogen sequencing and genetics epidemiology.

Demonstrate use cases of genetics and molecular epidemiology in public health

We will undertake several studies in malaria, Covid-19, antimicrobial resistance etc. that will
demonstrate how one can use molecular epidemiology in the context of infectious disease management
by Public Health authorities.

Community and Public Health authorities’ engagement on genomics of pathogens

We will leverage on our experience in engaging with the public and national malaria programs in the context of our malaria work to expand our interactions to other public health officials dealing with other pathogens.