VENUE: RUBAX HOTEL, MBARARA OPPOSITE NTARE SCHOOL & Online
Meeting ID: 956 7128 2622
Passcode: 782450
The Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences Makerere University College of Health Sciences invites you to a scheduled PUBLIC PhD DEFENSE
TUESDAY. 17th January. 2023 02:00 pm (EAT)
Venue: MakCHS Conference Room, 2nd Floor Clinical Research Building and Online
PhD Candidate: Ester Lilian Acen
Title: Effect of Vitamin D binding Protein Gene Polymorphisms and Vitamin D bioavailabilty on Cathelicidin expression in Tuberculosis infection and disease
SUPERVISORS:
INTERNAL EXAMINERS:
EXTERNAL EXAMINER/OPPONENT:
Prof. Joel Bazira, Mbarara University of Science & Technology
DOCTORAL COMMITTEE:
DEFENSE CHAIR:
The Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences, MakCHS.
The Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences invites you to be part of Dr. Paul Katongole’s PhD defense scheduled for Friday 18th November 2022 at 5:00 pm (EAT). See details below:
PhD Candidate: Paul Katongole
Thesis Title: “The Role of Gut microbiome in Prostate cancer disease Pathogenesis”
Date: Friday 18th November 2022
Time: 5:00 pm (East African Time)
Venue: Online and Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, Conference Room
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94536750217?pwd=dTBxNFIrMXNEQWpiUDByTFNMRTUwUT09
Meeting ID: 945 3675 0217
Passcode: 559942 :
Opponent
Dr. Maike De La Roche, PhD, Cambridge University, Cancer Research UK- Cambridge Institute
Supervisors
Dr. Nixon Niyonzima, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala
Dr. James Obondo Sande, Makerere University , Kampala
Prof Moses L. Joloba, Makerere University, Kampala
Internal Examiners
External Examiner
Dr. Maike De la Roche, PhD, Cambridge University, Cancer Research UK- Cambridge Institute
Defense Chair
The Dean School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre (MakBRC) now invites suitably qualified bidders to submit sealed pre-qualification submissions for the provision of works, services and supplies.
Pre-qualification submissions will be evaluated in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act,2003 as amended by the Government of Uganda. Pre-qualification is open to all eligible bidders.
Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from the Procurement and Disposal Unit of Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre and inspect the pre-qualification documents at the address given below from 9.00 am – 3.00 pm.
The pre-qualification documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Ugx. 100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) for each category i.e., supplies, services and works.
The method of payment will be through the bank and thereafter a receipt will be obtained from the MakBRC accounts office. The document may thereafter be collected from the procurement and Disposal Unit upon presentation of the receipt.
Prequalification submissions must be delivered to the address below at or before 11.00 am on 26th August 2022. Late submissions shall not be accepted.
MakBRC Procurement and Disposal Unit
Upper Hill Road, Mulago
2nd Floor, Microbiology Building, Room C35
P.O. Box 7072, Kampala – Uganda
Tel:+256 414541830/ 0759898759
Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre reserves the right to accept or reject any application or all applications.
Background
Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre Limited (MakBRC) is a Centre of Excellence in the school of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University.
MakBRC has been invited to nominate a candidate within the institution to be considered under the capacity-building program for government-affiliated institutions coordinated by the Petroleum Authority of Uganda for one year.
Eligibility
A candidate to be nominated for the said program is required to have secured admission for a study program or training opportunity of formal training at the postgraduate level (Master’s degree program).
Requirements:
Eligible applicants should address their application, Ag. Managing Director, Makerere University Biomedical Research, and submit the same in hard copy to room C35, 2nd floor, Pathology building not later than 25th July 2022.
Message from the
Vice-Chancellor
The College of Health Sciences has continued to be a leading hub of research and innovation. As Makerere University celebrates 100 years of excellent service, and as we embark on the second year of implementing our 10- year strategic plan 2020-2030, I pledge my continued support to the Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre (MakBRC), which has made significant contributions to our health sector, particularly the innovations in response to the COVID19 Pandemic. These and more are welcome advances, especially as we continue repositioning Makerere to focus on producing outputs that are responsive to national, regional and global development challenges, and contributing to the global body of knowledge. I, therefore, congratulate the MaKBRC team on this great initiative.
I congratulate Drs. Moses Joloba, David Kateete and Charles Batte upon the award of USD 1.75 million from the National Health Institutes, USA to support the development of research capacity for data science for infectious and Non-communicable diseases.
A project funded by the Government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and
Innovations fund (Mak-RIF)
Project Outcomes
1) Capacity Building Training, Sops, Draft Guidelines, Equipment and Supplies
Makerere University has over the years pioneered training and research in different fields of national
importance. As such, a team from the school of biomedical sciences set out to establish capacity for
human tissue and organ biobanking. Staff from Makerere University School of Biomedical Sciences,
Kawempe National Referral Hospital, and Makerere University Health Services received training in
collection, processing, analysis and cryopreservation of human sperm and umbilical cord blood for
transplant. Standard operating procedures(SOPs) were developed and are being utilized. Trained staff
are now competent in the collection, processing, analysis and storage of cord blood and sperm. This
sets ground for establishing training programs to train university students and conduct research in the
collection, processing, analysis and storage of umbilical cord blood and sperm.
With this backbone, the University is taking baby steps towards establishing an organ and tissue
transplant unit. By developing capacity to train and conduct research in this field, the University will
contribute knowledge towards standardizing and improving processes involved in human tissue and
organ biobanking.2) Semen Collection and Biobanking
Semen samples from volunteers were collected, processed, analyzed and stored in liquid nitrogen at –
196 degrees. The process of sample collection involved identification of healthy volunteers/donors
who met a defined inclusion criteria. Prior to donation, each participant was taken through the informed
consent process and written consent was obtained. Clear instructions were given to the donors who
proceeded to collect samples in a designated room. Sample collection and processing followed
techniques that maximized retrieval of viable sperm. The samples were assigned unique IDs and
labelled with barcode cryo-labels. Cryopreservation involved slow -freezing prior to permanent storage
at -196 degrees in liquid nitrogen, following seminogram SOPs and WHO 2010 guidelines.
These samples are currently at -196 liquid nitrogen storage and are available to the general public who
can access them through a catalog. These samples are also available to scientists with interest of
venturing into research for the purpose of generating new knowledge in the Ugandan setting.
Page 12 of 183) Cord Blood Collection, Stem Cell Isolation and Cryopreservation
Umbilical cord blood was collected from study participants at Kawempe General Hospital following
standard operating procedures. Prior to collection, healthy mothers in their third trimester attending the
antenatal clinic were screened, consented and recruited into the study following a defined inclusion
criteria. Umbilical cord blood was collected aseptically from consented study participants during
childbirth.
Umbilical cord blood processing, volume reduction and stem cell recovery was done at the Makerere
University Immunology laboratory following the developed SOPs. The harvested stem cells were
tested for viability before cryopreservation. Stem cells processed from this blood are available at -196
Oc. Potential recipients can access these cells on the IBRH3AU catalog. These cells are also available
to researchers who wish to conduct research in stem cell biology.4) Functional Tissue and Organ Catalog
The team has developed an online Catalog that provides an unlimited access to well characterized and
annotated human sperm, umbilical cord blood (stem cells and plasma) and other Biospecimens. It is a
single convenient point of access to a pool of Biospecimens and tissues, it provides an unlimited easy
access to high quality Biospecimens, human tissues and organs by potential recipients, researchers and
the general public. Through the catalog one is able to search and request for biospecimens or human
tissues/organs for health care or basic research needs. This resource is available to the general public
at URL: www.ibru.mak.ac.ug/Catalog. The catalog will enable users to perform basic and advanced
searches, e.g. (Participant – by sex, age, ethnicity, etc., or Biospecimen type among others). From the
search results users can submit a request for access to the Makerere advisory board on organ and tissue
biobanking for consideration.
As Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre [MakBRC], we believe in science for many reasons: 1st, to sustain lives, 2nd, make living simple for people in societies where we live.
Welcome to MakBRC podium in the Science week at Kololo Airstrip, explore the importance and the future of Science with MakBRC.