Wound care is a major challenge in low-resource settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Access to advanced medical devices is often limited by cost, infrastructure, and healthcare delivery constraints.
This project aims to develop a low-cost, portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) device to enhance healing through controlled negative pressure, improving wound care in resource-limited settings.
💡 We are looking for Biomedical Engineering students skilled in: ✔️ Public Speaking & Pitching ✔️ Medical Device Innovation
📅 January 29, 2025
📍 Makerere University Biomedical Research Center (MakBRC)
MakBRC, in collaboration with the University of Florence, Italy, has officially launched the ALL-IN-ONE AMR Project. This initiative aims to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and will focus on implementation in the Karamoja region, Uganda.
About the Project
The ALL-IN-ONE AMR Project is a multidisciplinary effort designed to address the growing challenge of AMR through innovative strategies and community-focused interventions. By leveraging the expertise of local and international researchers, the project seeks to provide sustainable solutions tailored to low-resource settings.
Kick-Off Meeting Highlights
The kick-off meeting brought together key stakeholders from Uganda and Italy, including researchers, project leaders, and community representatives. Discussions centered on:
Establishing project goals and objectives.
Strengthening collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Florence.
Planning research activities to address AMR in Karamoja.
Next Steps
With the groundwork laid during the kick-off meeting, the project team will now focus on field implementation and community engagement to ensure impactful outcomes.
MakBRC remains committed to contributing to global health research and addressing critical health challenges like AMR.
📷 Pictured: Participants of the kick-off meeting at the MakBRC Green House.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat at Office of the President and Scientists from Cuba visits the Biomarker Discovery lab at MakBRC
On 6th/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.
HPLC Mass spectrometry in the Biomarker Discovery lab
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.
Date: Wednesday, 23rd October 2024 Time: 4:00 PM (EAT) Venue: Davies Lecture Theatre, MakCHS Guest Speaker: Dr. Yin Ye, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, BGI Group
Join us for an enlightening seminar on the future of technology and biotechnology, titled “Embracing the AI+BT Era: What Should We Do Next?”, featuring Dr. Yin Ye. As a prominent leader in genomics and biotechnology, Dr. Yin Ye brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence with biotechnology and its implications for the future.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Yin Ye holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Copenhagen and has been with BGI Group since 2002. Under his leadership, BGI has become a global leader in providing genomics solutions to top institutions worldwide. His expertise extends to pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and research organizations, where he offers reliable diagnostic and treatment evidence, and life sciences and medical innovations.
He is also a part-time professor at Dalian University of Technology and plays a pivotal role in managing human genetic resources in China. Dr. Yin Ye serves on various professional committees, including the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the Shenzhen Standardization Association.
Chair:
Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences, MakCHS
Join Us Live via Zoom: Zoom Link:https://rb.gy/1r27mv Meeting ID: 889 3235 3299 Passcode: 881192
MakBRC is a Ugandan registered Not-for-Profit Organization fully owned by Makerere University established within Makerere University College of Health Sciences.
