Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit
MANDATE OF BMPHRU
Conduct research into infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and other health related problems using molecular genomics applications to significantly increase knowledge and generate evidence-based findings leading to development of technologies and treatment strategies to enhance control, management and elimination of diseases of public health importance.
CORE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES OF BMPHRU
- Development of technologies and treatment strategies.
- To enhance control and elimination of diseases of Public Health importance.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Development of a more sensitive Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays for detection of Onchocerca volvulus.
- Real-time PCR based diagnostic tool to discriminate between the human parasite Onchocerca volvulus that causes onchocerciasis and Onchocerca ochengi that does not cause the human disease in the blackfly vectors population.
- Development of High-resolution melt assays using real-time PCR Technology for detection of ivermectin resistance in onchocerciasis endemic communities.
- Longitudinal epidemiological surveys and monitoring of onchocerciasis transmission in endemic communities in six regions in Ghana to determine the feasibility of onchocerciasis elimination in Ghana using current interventions.
- Development of a molecular xeno-monitoring assay for surveillance of lymphatic filariasis after Mass Drug Administration.
- Mapping of vector species composition in communities in the Western and Northern regions: Control strategies improved to drive towards LF elimination.
- Development of hyper-sensitive DNA-based tools for disease diagnosis.
- Expanded access to Praziquantel for schistosomiasis control.
FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE BMPHRU
The research goals and mandate is to generate knowledge and evidence-based findings leading to development of technologies and strategiesĀ to enhance the control, managementĀ and elimination of diseases of public health importance.
From the research outputs in the coming years we expect to significantly impact on diseases of public health importance within the next 10 to 50 years, thus we expect to see
- Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Reduction in morbidities and mortalities of other infectious and non-communicable diseases
- Development of gene therapy for the control and treatment of non-communicable disease
- Provision of treatment strategies for management of chronic diseases
- High profile Cancer research leading to reduction in cancer related morbidities and mortalities
- Establishing of molecular genomics medical laboratories for diagnoses and management of genetic related diseases
- Establishment of research based hospital for drug development, treatment and management of cancers and non-communicable diseases
- BMPHRU to a Medical Research Institute
EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
MOLECULAR LABORATORY
PARASITOLOGY LABORATORY
