The Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat at Office of the President and Scientists from Cuba visits the Biomarker Discovery lab at MakBRC

On 6^th/Oct/2024 MakBRC hosted a team of scientists from STI-OP and Cuba at the Biomarker Discovery lab, located at Kasangati. The guests were welcomed by Dr. Ivan  Mwebaza, the Head of Research and Innovations at MakBRC who emphasized the importance of   this collaboration towards research, training, R&D, and skills transfer between Uganda and Cuba.

The guests, led by Dr. David Seruka and Ms Leah Nabirye from STI-OP.  Scientists from  Empresa de Servicios Ingenieros Especializados, Cuba (ESINES) were led by Dr. Figueroa Fernandez; Business and Development Director, Dr.Portuondo Vazquez; Deputy Director, and Dr. Sardina Fagundo; the Chief Architect & Project Manager.

The team also included Dr. Leyva Hernandez who is the Commercial & Business Director at Biocubafarma Group of Company. Dr. Palenzuela Diaz represented   Immuneesayo Centre in Havana. The Ugandan embassy in Havana was represented by Dr. Komakech Paul who is an administrative assistant and also a Medical Intern at Medical University of Havana.

The purpose of this visit was to identify facilities and capital investments that can foster synergies and collaborative Research and Development (R&D) between MakBRC, STI-OP, and Cuban institutions.  The Biomarker Discovery lab is one of such facilities since it is a place where basic and translational analysis of target biological markers can be performed, and prototypes validated before they progress to commercial production. Currently the lab is equipped with a high-performance liquid chromatograph-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS) with mass range of m/z 2 to 2000.

The guests commended MakBRC for its commitment to developing capacity and championing innovations that reduce and mitigate disease burden in Uganda and beyond. They reiterated the importance of such high-tech research labs in preventing, detecting and responding to healthcare challenges and biologic threats.

The guests also visited the renovated and remodeled space where the HIV drug resistance and reservoir labs are to be established.  Dr. Mwebaza informed the guests about the need for an HIV drug resistance testing facility as it ensures patients are given medications that are pharmacologically effective against the strain of HIV they have.

HPLC Mass spectrometry in the Biomarker Discovery lab

Such lab is crucial for mitigating the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and it is one step towards personalized HIV treatment in Uganda. He also informed the guests that by establishing facilities that conducts research on HIV reservoirs, MakBRC is positioning Ugandan Scientists to be part of the quest for the HIV cure.

 By MakBRC Public Relations