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June 17, 2024 Conference

Conference Dates: October 16th – 18th, 2024
Location: Hotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda

Theme: Global Health Security: Partnerships for Epidemic Response and Control in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Themes:

  1. Prevention
    • Biosafety & Biosecurity
    • Zoonotic Emergence Prevention
    • Vaccination
  2. Detection
    • Community Preparedness
    • Public Health Surveillance
    • Role of Laboratory Systems
  3. Response
    • Case Management
    • Mathematical Modelling, Data Science, and AI
    • Intra-epidemic Research
  4. Recovery
    • Psycho-social Impact
    • Socio-economic Impact
  5. Health Systems Strengthening
    • Health Workforce Development
    • Infrastructure and Supply Chain
    • Policy and Governance
    • Health Financing, Regulation, and Stewardship
  6. Cross-Cutting Themes
    • Infectious Diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases
    • Translational Science and Biomedical Research
    • Population Health and Climate Change
    • Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
    • Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health
    • Mental Health
    • Digital Health, AI, and Big Data
    • Professionalism, Health Professional Education, Ethics, and Medico-legal Issues
    • Occupational Health and Safety

Abstract Submission Details:

  • Submission Deadline: August 15th, 2024
  • Format: Structured (Title, Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions) or Unstructured
  • Word Limit: Maximum 250 words
  • Submit To: jashc2024@gmail.com

Registration Fees:

Category Early (15th June – 30th September) Late (From 1st October)
Undergraduate Students UGX 80,000 UGX 100,000
Graduate Students UGX 100,000 UGX 150,000
International Delegates USD 250 USD 300
Non-students (E. African Region) UGX 300,000 UGX 350,000
Online USD 100 USD 150

Payment Details:

  • Account Name: Makerere University College Of Health Sciences Research
  • Account Number:
    • UGX: 9030005655047
    • USD: 9030008068061
  • Bank Name: Stanbic Bank (U) Ltd, Crested Towers Branch
  • Swift Code: SBICUGKY

Contact Information:

Join us at the 30th UNACOH Conference and the 22nd Mathew Lukwiya Lecture to share your research and engage with professionals dedicated to advancing global health security.


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June 13, 2024 Resources

Project acronym:

HIV-LUNG MICROBIOME STUDY 

Project Duration:

1st November 2021 to 30th June 2024

Recipient:

Dr Alex Kayongo, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

 

Funding acknowledgement:

This project has received funding from the EDCTP2 programme (TMA2020CDF-3194) supported by the European Union and Novartis Global Health Basel Switzerland. 

 

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing in prevalence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as widespread use of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has increased longevity in this population. In rural Ugandan ART clinics, we report COPD prevalence of 6.22%. Currently, it’s not fully known what drives chronic lung inflammation in PLWHA population despite being virologically suppressed on ART. Airway dysbiosis has been implicated as a driver of airway inflammation in COPD and HIV infection has been reportedly associated with significant changes in airway microbiome in several studies. In this study, we aimed at investigating airway microbiome-driven inflammation.

Study aims: We specifically aimed at: (1) establishing a relationship between airway microbiome and Th17/Treg cellular phenotypes among HIV-infected individuals with COPD; (2) investigating bacterial-mediated Th17 upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes among HIV individuals with COPD and (3) exploring the role of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in mediating microbiome-driven Th17 immune responses among HIV individuals. 

Methods: In this study, we conducted a detailed airway microbiome-immune profiling of a Ugandan COPD cohort using high dimensional mass flow cytometry combined with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We further interrogated the relationship between identified immune clusters and microbiome-derived outer membrane vesicles. We assembled a cohort of 160 individuals recruited from two large independent cohorts in rural Uganda. We collected 5mls of induced sputum for downstream microbiome analysis using 16S amplicon sequencing and high dimensional time of flight mass cytometry using a 30-marker panel targeting over 25 immune cell populations.

Results: We identify broad immune landscape profiles across a COPD population in rural Uganda. Interestingly, a reduction in microbiome richness and evenness significantly correlated with a high frequency of double negative T cells (thymocytes), naïve helper T cells, mucosal homing effector T, and Natural Killer cells. Using a confounder-aware algorithm for biomarker search, we summarize the effect size of the top airway microbiome signatures on immune phenotypes. Among the top signatures, Streptococcus spp significantly affected the proportions of Th17 and NKT immune cells. Enrichment with streptococcal spp was associated with increased Th17-like immune cells. On the contrary, depletion of streptococcal spp was associated with increased NKT cell response. In conclusion, the airway-microbiome immune crosstalk in a Ugandan COPD cohort was driven by Streptococcus, associated with Th17 and NKT cell immune responses.

Further interrogation of induced sputum transcriptomic profile in relation to the airway 16SrRNA amplicon sequence data illuminated the relationship between the airway microbiome and the mucosal immune responses in a rural Ugandan HIV-COPD cohort. Pro-inflammatory gene signatures, ccl4, ccl3, ilr1, irak2, cxcl2, hivep2, ccl3l3, cxcl8, ccl4l2, rel, and cxcl9 enriched the airways of a COPD population and positively correlated with microbiome-derived outer membrane vesicles, a marker of live bacterial biomass. Depletion of keystone species or enrichment of specific pathobionts in the airways drove a pro-inflammatory gene signature expression, an effect possibly driven by microbiome-derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) signaling via TLRs to activate the NF-kB and chemokine signaling pathways.

Conclusions: : The COPD phenotype we observe in Africa is infection-driven NOT smoking-driven. Depletion of keystone species or enrichment of specific pathobionts in the airways drives a pro-inflammatory gene signature. This effect is possibly driven by microbiome-derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), signaling via TLRs to activate NF-kB and chemokine signaling pathways.Enrichment with streptococcal spp was associated with increased Th17-like immune cells. On the contrary, depletion of streptococcal spp was associated with increased NKT cell response. In conclusion, the airway-microbiome immune crosstalk in a Ugandan COPD cohort was driven by Streptococcus, associated with Th17 and NKT cell immune responses. 

Outputs and achievements  

  1. We established the airway microbiome-immune crosstalk Lab at Makerere University.
  2. We developed a novel airway microbiome-immune library.
  3. We trained one bioinformatician in metagenomics, transcriptomics and proteomics during the project.
  4. We trained one immunologist in CyTOF and OMV ELISA during the project 

Implications

  1. The COPD phenotype we observe in Africa is infection-driven NOT smoking-driven.
  2. Immune pathways driving COPD are Toll-like receptor signalling, Nuclear factor kappa B and chemokine pathways
  3. We are now piloting the airway microbiome immune library’s utility in deciphering the airway microbiome crosstalk in other diseases such as TB. 

Results dissemination

Through workshops, community outreaches and community advisory board meetings, we have successfully disseminated our findings to our primary stake holders ( participants) and policy makers. The COPD phenotype we observe in Africa is infection-driven NOT smoking-driven. More emphasis has to be put on the treatment of lung infections. 

Socio-economic impact of the action, including its wider societal implications

We have improved access to COPD screening and treatment in rural Ugandan communities. There has been community sensitization and increased awareness about COPD and its risk factors in rural Ugandan communities. 

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact

We have successfully established the airway microbiome-immune crosstalk laboratory/ working group at Makerere University. We are currently investigating how such microbial signatures impact airway mucosal immunity in the setting of HIV and COPD, utilizing a well-characterized cohort, we have built over the last 5 years. We have established a niche in the field of HIV-COPD mucosal immunobiology, testing novel chronic airway inflammation models as platforms to immune-phenotype airway microbiome with a goal of identifying novel immune-protective and inflammatory signatures using multi-omics approaches.


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June 5, 2024 scholarship

Epilepsy accounts for a significant portion of the global disease burden, often accompanied by extensive discrimination and stigma. These factors, along with other barriers, prevent many individuals with epilepsy from accessing medical care. Comprehensive understanding of epilepsy’s characteristics, comorbidities, and risk factors is essential for developing targeted preventive strategies and interventions.

In collaboration with Duke University in the USA, Makerere University College of Health Sciences is leading a national research study on epilepsy. This study involves local experts in neurology and psychology in Uganda, alongside international specialists in neurology and neurosurgery from the USA. The research aims to explore the spectrum of epilepsy in Uganda, focusing on its clinical features, comorbidities, and risk factors across different age groups, with particular attention to stigma among adolescents.

Applications are now open for the AWE Change Masters Fellowship Programme from postgraduate students at:

  • Makerere University College of Health Sciences
  • Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Gulu University

The programme will support two (2) successful graduate candidates in their final year of Master’s degree training in any of the specified programs at these universities.

Eligibility

This opportunity is available to postgraduate students in their final year of study in the following graduate programs: Medicine, Pediatrics, Nursing, Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Sciences, or any Biomedical/Health-related field.

Selection Criteria

  1. Proof of admission to a Master’s program at the specified university.
  2. Normal progress in the Master’s program.
  3. Demonstrated interest in research training and conducting research within the relevant discipline.
  4. A letter of recommendation and support from the program’s Head of Department.
  5. A career development plan.
  6. Potential for attaining research leadership and international recognition in their field.
  7. Commitment to developing at least one manuscript for publication based on their research.
  8. Research concepts must focus on Epilepsy in any of the following aspects: Clinical, Public Health, Cognitive, Psychosocial, or Biomedical.

Application Process

Enquiries and applications should be sent to awechangeproject@gmail.com. Applications must include: a cover letter (1 page), a resume (maximum 3 pages), a personal statement (maximum 1 page), a research concept (maximum 1 page), an admission letter, proof of normal progress for the initial years of training, and two letters of recommendation. The personal statement should outline your career aspirations for the next 5-7 years, research interests, and any other relevant information.

Timelines:

Application deadline extension: July 31, 2024.


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May 22, 2024 scholarship

Call for Applications (1 Slot)

Makerere University School of Biomedical Sciences (Uganda) in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University has received a grant from the U.S. NIH – Fogarty International Center to train Ugandans in biomedical basic sciences. This program will train Ugandans in basic science of HIV and its related complications including TB, Antimicrobial resistance, HIV drug resistance, HIV Reservoirs, etc. It aims at building a critical mass of Basic Scientists in Uganda who will create new frontiers in HIV research.

Program Details:

  • The program is currently soliciting applications from suitably qualified Ugandans for one available scholarship.
  • The successful trainee will lead an independent research project at Makerere University with co-mentorship from Case Western Reserve University.
  • Majority of the training will be based at Makerere University with short-term work abroad for specific training.
  • Funding for tuition, a monthly stipend, and reasonable research funds will be provided.

Selection Criteria:

  1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine (MBChB), Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Dental Surgery (preferred), or a Master’s Degree in a related field from a recognized University.
  2. Relevant academic documents.
  3. Evidence of interest in HIV, immunology, pathology, microbiology, molecular biology, or related areas.
  4. Applicants should meet specific academic requirements.
  5. Scholarship dependent on successful admission into Makerere University.
  6. Must be ready and willing to undergo rigorous training.

Application Procedure:

  • Submit the following documents as a single PDF file to: sbsstudentapplications@gmail.com
    • Indicate in the subject: “MITHU PhD Scholarship Application 2024”
    • Certified copies of relevant academic documents
    • Two recommendation letters from Academic referees
    • Statement of motivation (Not more than 500 words)
    • Your idea for the research project (Single page)
    • A brief CV of not more than three pages

Application Deadline: 31st May, 2024

Apply Now!


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Through the EDCTP2 Career Development Fellowship support, we have conducted research for the past three years in low and moderate-to-high malaria transmissions settings in Uganda. The study title Predictors of local emergence and spread of Artemisinin resistance among Ugandan Plasmodium falciparum parasites’ investigated potential drivers of artemisinin resistance development in malaria treatment in the country. This was done both in the private and public health facilities in the country.

This workshop is aimed at sharing the findings of the study with the wider malaria community in the country and stimulate discussion towards identifying potential policy directions to help mitigate widespread emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance in the country.

The findings of the study will cover Ugandan Plasmodium falciparum genetic architecture (background), quality of ACTs, Access to quality assured ACTs, Copayment mechanism, test and treat policy in malaria management and experiences of healthcare professionals in private and public health facilities in managing malaria in the country.

You have been identified as a key stakeholder in the fight against malaria in the country and your views during the meeting will help give direction to the efforts to mitigate widespread emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance in the country.

This letter is therefore to invite you to the Dissemination workshop scheduled for 17th May 2024.

Venue: Fairway Hotel, Kampala

Date17th May 2024

Time:  9:00am-2:00pm 

Please confirm your attendance by email: birungijoanah@gmail.com., Tel: +256701925906

EDCTP Programme 2024



In short words


MakBRC is a Ugandan registered Not-for-Profit Organization fully owned by Makerere University established within Makerere University College of Health Sciences.



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