GCRF-Crick African Network
Lead Research Organisation:
The Francis Crick Institute
Department Name: Research
Abstract
The extreme poverty faced by many people in Sub-Saharan Africa contributes to very high rates of infectious diseases, as well as to chronic diseases linked to these. Scientific research is needed to address these challenges, however, Africa also faces a shortage of knowledge, skills and research facilities, which compounds the problem. Our strategy to tackle this problem is to identify a group of African scientists who already have PhDs and show outstanding talent, and intensively develop their careers via targeted, high-level training and mentorship. The idea is to foster the next generation of leadership at key African research institutions that are well-positioned to advance science on the continent. The ultimate aim is to improve the health of the people of Africa and beyond.
To achieve this, we will establish a new initiative, the 'Crick African Network' (CAN), which involves collaboration between the UK and Africa. The network's goal will be to help build capacity in African institutions to conduct research into infectious diseases that occur in poverty-stricken areas. The network will formally link the Francis Crick Institute (Crick) in the UK with a select group of African-based research organisations, namely: the Universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, South Africa, MRC Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the University of Ghana, and the West African Global Health Alliance (WAGHA) that includes MRC Gambia and University Cheikh Anta Diop, Sénégal.
These partners will together provide an 'African Career Accelerator' programme that provides high-level training for talented African scientists. The programme will offer competitive fellowships that allow the scientists to spend time at Crick in the UK, receiving advanced training, with access to state-of-the-art Science Technology Platform (STP) facilities and expertise. It will then help them to re-establish their research portfolios back at their African institutions. We envisage ongoing mentorship of, and collaboration with, these future research leaders to encourage lasting, mutually beneficial, scientific partnerships. In conjunction with this, the network will host introductory workshops in key African locations, to inform and inspire infectious diseases researchers from those regions. It will also hold annual scientific meetings for the four-year duration of the programme to encourage exchange of scientific learning, grow collaborations and engage with relevant health sector stakeholders.
By intensively developing this select group of up-and-coming researchers, connecting them internationally, supporting them with world-class expertise and positioning them in strong African institutions that can serve as hubs of scientific excellence within the continent, we hope they will become a powerful cadre of internationally connected research professionals with the expertise and experience needed to tackle Africa's infectious disease challenges. The UK-African network formed will also be well positioned to respond, through biomedical research, to pressing poverty-related health needs affecting the welfare and economic development of Africa.
To achieve this, we will establish a new initiative, the 'Crick African Network' (CAN), which involves collaboration between the UK and Africa. The network's goal will be to help build capacity in African institutions to conduct research into infectious diseases that occur in poverty-stricken areas. The network will formally link the Francis Crick Institute (Crick) in the UK with a select group of African-based research organisations, namely: the Universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, South Africa, MRC Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the University of Ghana, and the West African Global Health Alliance (WAGHA) that includes MRC Gambia and University Cheikh Anta Diop, Sénégal.
These partners will together provide an 'African Career Accelerator' programme that provides high-level training for talented African scientists. The programme will offer competitive fellowships that allow the scientists to spend time at Crick in the UK, receiving advanced training, with access to state-of-the-art Science Technology Platform (STP) facilities and expertise. It will then help them to re-establish their research portfolios back at their African institutions. We envisage ongoing mentorship of, and collaboration with, these future research leaders to encourage lasting, mutually beneficial, scientific partnerships. In conjunction with this, the network will host introductory workshops in key African locations, to inform and inspire infectious diseases researchers from those regions. It will also hold annual scientific meetings for the four-year duration of the programme to encourage exchange of scientific learning, grow collaborations and engage with relevant health sector stakeholders.
By intensively developing this select group of up-and-coming researchers, connecting them internationally, supporting them with world-class expertise and positioning them in strong African institutions that can serve as hubs of scientific excellence within the continent, we hope they will become a powerful cadre of internationally connected research professionals with the expertise and experience needed to tackle Africa's infectious disease challenges. The UK-African network formed will also be well positioned to respond, through biomedical research, to pressing poverty-related health needs affecting the welfare and economic development of Africa.
Technical Summary
The extreme poverty faced by many people in Sub-Saharan Africa contributes to very high rates of infectious diseases, as well as to chronic diseases linked to these. Scientific research is needed to address these challenges, however, Africa also faces a shortage of knowledge, skills and research facilities, which compounds the problem. Our strategy to tackle this problem is to identify a group of African scientists who already have PhDs and show outstanding talent, and intensively develop their careers via targeted, high-level training and mentorship. The idea is to foster the next generation of leadership at key African research institutions that are well-positioned to advance science on the continent. The ultimate aim is to improve the health of the people of Africa and beyond.
To achieve this, we will establish a new initiative, the 'Crick African Network' (CAN), which involves collaboration between the UK and Africa. The network's goal will be to help build capacity in African institutions to conduct research into infectious diseases that occur in poverty-stricken areas. The network will formally link the Francis Crick Institute (Crick) in the UK with a select group of African-based research organisations, namely: the Universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, South Africa, MRC Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the University of Ghana, and the West African Global Health Alliance (WAGHA) that includes MRC Gambia and University Cheikh Anta Diop, Sénégal.
These partners will together provide an 'African Career Accelerator' programme that provides high-level training for talented African scientists. The programme will offer competitive fellowships that allow the scientists to spend time at Crick in the UK, receiving advanced training, with access to state-of-the-art Science Technology Platform (STP) facilities and expertise. It will then help them to re-establish their research portfolios back at their African institutions. We envisage ongoing mentorship of, and collaboration with, these future research leaders to encourage lasting, mutually beneficial, scientific partnerships. In conjunction with this, the network will host introductory workshops in key African locations, to inform and inspire infectious diseases researchers from those regions. It will also hold annual scientific meetings for the four-year duration of the programme to encourage exchange of scientific learning, grow collaborations and engage with relevant health sector stakeholders.
By intensively developing this select group of up-and-coming researchers, connecting them internationally, supporting them with world-class expertise and positioning them in strong African institutions that can serve as hubs of scientific excellence within the continent, we hope they will become a powerful cadre of internationally connected research professionals with the expertise and experience needed to tackle Africa's infectious disease challenges. The UK-African network formed will also be well positioned to respond, through biomedical research, to pressing poverty-related health needs affecting the welfare and economic development of Africa.
To achieve this, we will establish a new initiative, the 'Crick African Network' (CAN), which involves collaboration between the UK and Africa. The network's goal will be to help build capacity in African institutions to conduct research into infectious diseases that occur in poverty-stricken areas. The network will formally link the Francis Crick Institute (Crick) in the UK with a select group of African-based research organisations, namely: the Universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, South Africa, MRC Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the University of Ghana, and the West African Global Health Alliance (WAGHA) that includes MRC Gambia and University Cheikh Anta Diop, Sénégal.
These partners will together provide an 'African Career Accelerator' programme that provides high-level training for talented African scientists. The programme will offer competitive fellowships that allow the scientists to spend time at Crick in the UK, receiving advanced training, with access to state-of-the-art Science Technology Platform (STP) facilities and expertise. It will then help them to re-establish their research portfolios back at their African institutions. We envisage ongoing mentorship of, and collaboration with, these future research leaders to encourage lasting, mutually beneficial, scientific partnerships. In conjunction with this, the network will host introductory workshops in key African locations, to inform and inspire infectious diseases researchers from those regions. It will also hold annual scientific meetings for the four-year duration of the programme to encourage exchange of scientific learning, grow collaborations and engage with relevant health sector stakeholders.
By intensively developing this select group of up-and-coming researchers, connecting them internationally, supporting them with world-class expertise and positioning them in strong African institutions that can serve as hubs of scientific excellence within the continent, we hope they will become a powerful cadre of internationally connected research professionals with the expertise and experience needed to tackle Africa's infectious disease challenges. The UK-African network formed will also be well positioned to respond, through biomedical research, to pressing poverty-related health needs affecting the welfare and economic development of Africa.
Planned Impact
The Crick African Network (CAN) will promote economic development and welfare in Africa by growing research capacity in infectious diseases of poverty. The particular focus will be on HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, which account for a massive disease burden in Africa.
An estimated 25.5 million of the 36.7 million people globally living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS may have slowed economic growth by up to 1% per annum in affected countries and, by killing young adults, reduces the tax base thus compromising ability to spend on infrastructure such as education and other health services not related to AIDS. TB remains a global problem, responsible for 1.5 million deaths in 2015. A disproportionately high incidence of TB occurs in Africa because of the co-incident HIV-1 pandemic and 75% of the world's cases of HIV associated TB occur on the continent. Every year TB causes around $12 billion to disappear from the global economy. In 2015, there were 214 million cases of malaria worldwide resulting in an estimated 438,000 deaths, 90% of which occurred in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria has a major negative effect on economic development. In Africa, it is estimated to result in losses of $12 billion a year due to increased healthcare costs, lost ability to work, and negative effects on tourism. Whilst significant strides have been made in understanding these diseases during the last couple of decades, major scientific challenges remain.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a shortage of knowledge, skills and research facilities to respond to these challenges. We believe our strategy to develop the next generation of research leadership in endemic countries, at African institutions well-positioned to advance science on the continent, is key for long-term success in combatting diseases of poverty.
The CAN programme is relevant broadly across the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but is particularly responsive to SDGs 3, 4 and 9. By addressing key unanswered questions to understand how to reduce the impact of major poverty-related infectious disease in Africa (and indeed the world), the CAN programme directly addresses SDG 3 ('Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages'). The focus of the CAN capacity building strategy to develop talented postdoctoral researchers for the benefit of the African skills bank, and thereby economy, responds to SDG 4 ('Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all'). Similarly, the CAN programme contributes directly to SDG 9 sub-goal 9.5, which articulates the need to enhance scientific research, in particular in developing countries, including encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers.
Africa suffers a disproportionate disease burden. For each of the fields of biomedical research covered by the fellowships and collaborations established through this network, the interactions will facilitate the transfer and expansion of knowledge in that field. This will be of benefit to academic and industrial researchers within the relevant fields and may ultimately contribute to the development of new interventions and treatments for high-priority poverty-related diseases. The advancement of medical therapies will have the potential to improve health for the huge numbers of people affected, including, but also beyond, African countries.
An estimated 25.5 million of the 36.7 million people globally living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS may have slowed economic growth by up to 1% per annum in affected countries and, by killing young adults, reduces the tax base thus compromising ability to spend on infrastructure such as education and other health services not related to AIDS. TB remains a global problem, responsible for 1.5 million deaths in 2015. A disproportionately high incidence of TB occurs in Africa because of the co-incident HIV-1 pandemic and 75% of the world's cases of HIV associated TB occur on the continent. Every year TB causes around $12 billion to disappear from the global economy. In 2015, there were 214 million cases of malaria worldwide resulting in an estimated 438,000 deaths, 90% of which occurred in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria has a major negative effect on economic development. In Africa, it is estimated to result in losses of $12 billion a year due to increased healthcare costs, lost ability to work, and negative effects on tourism. Whilst significant strides have been made in understanding these diseases during the last couple of decades, major scientific challenges remain.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a shortage of knowledge, skills and research facilities to respond to these challenges. We believe our strategy to develop the next generation of research leadership in endemic countries, at African institutions well-positioned to advance science on the continent, is key for long-term success in combatting diseases of poverty.
The CAN programme is relevant broadly across the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but is particularly responsive to SDGs 3, 4 and 9. By addressing key unanswered questions to understand how to reduce the impact of major poverty-related infectious disease in Africa (and indeed the world), the CAN programme directly addresses SDG 3 ('Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages'). The focus of the CAN capacity building strategy to develop talented postdoctoral researchers for the benefit of the African skills bank, and thereby economy, responds to SDG 4 ('Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all'). Similarly, the CAN programme contributes directly to SDG 9 sub-goal 9.5, which articulates the need to enhance scientific research, in particular in developing countries, including encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers.
Africa suffers a disproportionate disease burden. For each of the fields of biomedical research covered by the fellowships and collaborations established through this network, the interactions will facilitate the transfer and expansion of knowledge in that field. This will be of benefit to academic and industrial researchers within the relevant fields and may ultimately contribute to the development of new interventions and treatments for high-priority poverty-related diseases. The advancement of medical therapies will have the potential to improve health for the huge numbers of people affected, including, but also beyond, African countries.
Organisations
- The Francis Crick Institute (Lead Research Organisation)
- Swiss Center for Scientific Research in Ivory Coast (Collaboration)
- Africa Research Excellence Fund (Collaboration)
- Pasteur Institute Dakar (Collaboration)
- Stellenbosch University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GHANA (Collaboration)
- University Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (Collaboration)
- Medical Research Council (MRC) (Collaboration)
- University of Cape Town (Collaboration)
Publications
Ketharanathan N
(2022)
Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury
Kim AHJ
(2020)
A Rush to Judgment? Rapid Reporting and Dissemination of Results and Its Consequences Regarding the Use of Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.
in Annals of internal medicine
Kim J
(2022)
Infections in the Developing Brain: The Role of the Neuro-Immune Axis.
in Frontiers in neurology
Kimuda SG
(2020)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is associated with increased B cell responses to unrelated pathogens.
in Scientific reports
Loots DT
(2022)
The metabolomics of a protein kinase C delta (PKCd) knock-out mouse model.
in Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society
Loxton NW
(2021)
A pilot study of inflammatory mediators in brain extracellular fluid in paediatric TBM.
in PloS one
Malherbe ST
(2020)
Quantitative 18F-FDG PET-CT scan characteristics correlate with tuberculosis treatment response.
in EJNMMI research
Mann TN
(2021)
Candidate Biomarkers to Distinguish Spinal Tuberculosis From Mechanical Back Pain in a Tuberculosis Endemic Setting.
in Frontiers in immunology
Mann TN
(2021)
Biomarkers to predict FDG PET/CT activity after the standard duration of treatment for spinal tuberculosis: An exploratory study.
in Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Mannell J
(2018)
UK's role in global health research innovation.
in Lancet (London, England)
Mariama Nicole P
(2021)
GENETIC ARCHITECTURE AND DYNAMICS OF PFKELCH13S PROPELLER DOMAIN IN SENEGALESE PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUMCLINICAL ISOLATES
in International Journal of Advanced Research
McCulloch M
(2020)
Peritoneal dialysis for treatment of acute kidney injury in a case of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2.
in Peritoneal dialysis international : journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis
Mensah BA
(2022)
Population-based sero-epidemiological investigation of the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
in Scientific reports
Mishra BB
(2022)
Editorial: Repurposed Drugs as Immune-Modulators to Combat Infectious Diseases.
in Frontiers in immunology
Moore AJ
(2021)
Assessing the functional impact of PfRh5 genetic diversity on ex vivo erythrocyte invasion inhibition.
in Scientific reports
Morang'a CM
(2022)
Genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Ghana from 2020-2021.
in Nature communications
Morgan P
(2023)
Gut microbiome variation in pulmonary TB patients with diabetes or HIV comorbidities
in Frontiers in Microbiomes
Ndiaye T
(2020)
Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum by multiplexed amplicon deep sequencing in Senegal.
in Malaria journal
Ngoi JM
(2021)
Genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 reveals local viral evolution in Ghana.
in Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
Nienaber A
(2022)
n-3 long-chain PUFA promote antibacterial and inflammation-resolving effects in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice, dependent on fatty acid status.
in The British journal of nutrition
O'Reilly N
(2019)
Why we're creating Wikipedia profiles for BAME scientists
in Nature
Oduro-Mensah D
(2021)
Explaining the unexpected COVID-19 trends and potential impact across Africa.
in F1000Research
Olwal C
(2023)
Network modeling suggests HIV infection phenocopies PI3K-AKT pathway mutations to enhance HPV-associated cervical cancer
in Molecular Omics
Olwal CO
(2021)
Parallels in Sepsis and COVID-19 Conditions: Implications for Managing Severe COVID-19.
in Frontiers in immunology
Osei-Wusu S
(2023)
Macrophage susceptibility to infection by Ghanaian Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex lineages 4 and 5 varies with self-reported ethnicity.
in Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
Osei-Wusu S
(2021)
Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genotypes prevalent in West Africa.
in PloS one
Osei-Wusu S
(2022)
Relevance of genomic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Africa
in International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Osterholm MT
(2022)
Full Technical Report: Insights from Cuba's COVID-19 Vaccine Enterprise: Report from a High Level Fact-Finding Delegation to Cuba.
in MEDICC review
Otchere ID
(2022)
Analysis of drug resistance among difficult-to-treat tuberculosis patients in Ghana identifies several pre-XDR TB cases.
in Frontiers in microbiology
Parihar S
(2021)
IL-4-Responsive B Cells Are Detrimental During Chronic Tuberculosis Infection in Mice
in Frontiers in Immunology
Peckham H
(2022)
Gender-Diverse Inclusion in Immunological Research: Benefits to Science and Health.
in Frontiers in medicine
Peckham H
(2020)
Male sex identified by global COVID-19 meta-analysis as a risk factor for death and ITU admission.
in Nature communications
Pham HT
(2021)
Progressive emergence of an S153F plus R263K combination of integrase mutations in the proviral DNA of one individual successfully treated with dolutegravir.
in The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
Prah DA
(2020)
Comparison of leucocyte profiles between healthy children and those with asymptomatic and symptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections.
in Malaria journal
Prah DA
(2023)
Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection evades triggering a host transcriptomic response.
in The Journal of infection
Quakyi NK
(2021)
Ghana's COVID-19 response: the Black Star can do even better.
in BMJ global health
Rajpoot S
(2022)
Identification of novel inhibitors targeting TIRAP interactions with BTK and PKCd in inflammation through an in silico approach.
in SAR and QSAR in environmental research
Schurz H
(2022)
Deciphering Genetic Susceptibility to Tuberculous Meningitis.
in Frontiers in neurology
Shi AC
(2020)
Microglial Metabolism After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury - Overlooked Bystanders or Active Participants?
in Frontiers in neurology
Singh G
(2021)
Infection in the Developing Brain: The Role of Unique Systemic Immune Vulnerabilities.
in Frontiers in neurology
Spracklen TF
(2022)
IL27 gene expression distinguishes multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children from febrile illness in a South African cohort.
in Frontiers in immunology
Ssekamatte P
(2021)
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Latent Tuberculosis Infection Moderately Influence Innate Lymphoid Cell Immune Responses in Uganda.
in Frontiers in immunology
Sy M
(2021)
Genomic investigation of atypical malaria cases in Kanel, northern Senegal.
in Malaria journal
Sy O
(2021)
Detection of kdr and ace-1 mutations in wild populations of Anopheles arabiensis and An. melas in a residual malaria transmission area of Senegal.
in Pesticide biochemistry and physiology
Tapela K
(2022)
Probing SARS-CoV-2-positive plasma to identify potential factors correlating with mild COVID-19 in Ghana, West Africa
in BMC Medicine
Tapela K
(2023)
Development of an Affordable ELISA Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid and Its Application to Samples from the Ongoing COVID-19 Epidemic in Ghana
in Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy
Tegally H
(2022)
The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Description | The career stage of transitioning from postdoctoral researcher to independence is a critical stage that requires significantly more funding and support. Additionally, the benefit of creating a cohort and a Network of Early Career Researchers is demonstrably valuable in the support structures being made by the programme to help with the career transition and retain scientific talent on the African continent, thereby building local capacity and preventing brain drain. |
Exploitation Route | The model of collaboration and career support could be used by others. |
Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | These aspects are covered elsewhere in the report |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Healthcare |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Description | Informed national protocol for approving lateral flow COVID testing in Ghana |
Geographic Reach | Africa |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | At the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic, in Ghana there was a rise in the number of companies claiming to sell COVID-19 lateral flow tests. Dr Peter Quashie who is a virologist, and Fellow supported by CAN, wrote the protocol with his supervisor, Prof. William Ampofo, that the Ghanaian government adopted to ratify the effectiveness of COVID tests to ensure that only reliable tests made it to market. |
Description | Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship |
Amount | $999,000 (USD) |
Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 12/2027 |
Description | Fellowship for Dr Emmanuel Amlabu |
Amount | $100,000 (USD) |
Organisation | TETFund |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Nigeria |
Start | 02/2022 |
End | 01/2025 |
Description | GCRF Networking Grant |
Amount | £24,607 (GBP) |
Organisation | Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 11/2021 |
Description | Global Challenges Research Fund Networking Grants |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | GCRFNGR4\1210 |
Organisation | Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2020 |
End | 06/2021 |
Description | International Intermediate Fellowship |
Amount | £674,526 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2022 |
End | 06/2027 |
Title | MIS-C RNA immune gene expression data |
Description | Quantitative PCR results for 80 immune genes of interest from patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and other controls: healthy non-inflammatory paediatric controls, Kawasaki disease, lupus, and other inflammatory conditions. Data is presented as 1/deltaCT values computed for each transcript relative to mean of three reference transcripts (ACTR3, CDC42, USF2). Transcripts of interest were pre-amplified using a pool of 96 TaqMan primer-probe assays. Pre-amplified cDNA, along with an internal positive control and a no-template (water) control, and the 96 primer-probe assays, were loaded into a microfluidic 96.96 Gene Expression Integrated Fluidic Circuit (Fluidigm) and gene expression of individual transcripts was then quantified by quantitative real time PCR performed on a BioMark HD (Fluidigm) instrument. The following parameters were applied for extracting cycle threshold (CT) values: Linear (Derivative) baseline correction, Quality Threshold of 0.3 and Auto (Global) for Ct Threshold Method using Fluidigm software version 4.5.2. Column headings and descriptions A1 - Sample_code - deidentified sample identifier B1 - Disease_group - disease group (healthy control, juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, Kawasaki disease, inflammatory (sepsis) control, or MIS-C C1 - Treatment - treatment by the timepoint (none, or various combinations of IVIG and/or medrol) D1 - Treat_time_(hrs_since_1st_treatment) - time in hours since the first treatment (described in C1) E1-CF1 - [gene names] - expression of the gene name indicated in the column heading |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | none yet |
URL | https://zivahub.uct.ac.za/articles/dataset/MIS-C_RNA_immune_gene_expression_data/20286243 |
Title | Sex Bias in COVID-19 Data - Supplementary Table 1 |
Description | An online search of government websites and published literature was performed for regional data reports on COVID-19 cases that included sex as a variable from 1 st January 2020 up until 1 st June 2020 (Search terms: COVID-19/case/sex/country/data/death/ICU/ITU). In order to ensure unbiased representation from as many regions as possible, a cross check was done using the list of countries reporting data on 'Worldometer', and an attempt was made to include as many regions reporting sex data as possible. Reports were translated using Google translate if they were not in English. Data selection, extraction and synthesisReports were included if they contained sex as a variable in data describing case number, intensive treatment unit (ITU) admission, or mortality. Data were entered directly by individual researchers into an online structured data extraction table. For some sources, counts of male confirmed cases or male deaths were not provided, but percentages of male cases or male deaths were provided instead. To include these sources and avoid biases that might be introduced by their exclusion, we calculated counts of male confirmed cases and male deaths from the reported percentages with rounding to the nearest integer. We acknowledge that this approach assumes that the reported percentages are reflective of the true percentages. For some sources, data included confirmed cases and deaths of unknown sex. For these sources, the reported totals were used where the proportion of unknown sex was small. This approach was preferred to excluding cases of unknown sex in order to avoid bias. The estimates represent the proportion of known male infections and odds ratios for mortality associated with known male sex, and will differ slightly from what the true values would be if the sex had been reported for all cases. Data were available at the level of country or regional summary data representing distinct individuals for each report, but not at the level of covariates for all individuals within a study. Consequently, covariates such as lifestyle, comorbidities, testing method and case type (hospital vs. community) could not be controlled for. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://zivahub.uct.ac.za/articles/dataset/Sex_Bias_in_COVID-19_Data_-_Supplementary_Table_1/1295215... |
Description | African Research Excellence Fund |
Organisation | Africa Research Excellence Fund |
Country | Gambia |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We have agreed to liaise over the provision of workshops and Fellowship support. We have signed an MOU with AREF and 2 other GCRF projects: PRECISE and RECAP, to deliver a training course over four installments for African researchers, focusing on professional development, called 'Towards Leadership'. Three CAN fellows are participating, and the Francis Crick Institute is leading the delivery of the second installment which is taking place at the Crick. |
Collaborator Contribution | They have agreed to liaise over the provision of workshops and Fellowship support. AREF are delivering the course content and providing the trainers and training resources for the course. |
Impact | The first installment of the 2019 Towards Leadership training course has been delivered in Johannesburg, South Africa from the 6th-8th February. Three CAN fellows were in attendance at the course, and the CAN Director also attended the launch event for the programme which took place at the British Deputy High Commissioner's residence in Pretoria, with an audience of stakeholders engaged in research or diplomacy on the African continent. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Cote d'Ivoire |
Organisation | Swiss Center for Scientific Research in Ivory Coast |
Country | Cote d'Ivoire |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The Crick and WACCBIP have sought to accommodate the research project of a CAN Fellow by setting up the infrastructure and contractual environment to enable the Fellow's research to take place across three sites. |
Collaborator Contribution | CSRS is hosting and employing one of the fellows of the Crick African Network. This enables the fellow to trilaterally split their fellowship between the Crick, WACCBIP (Ghana) and CSRS and thereby maximise the impact of the research, while allowing her to set up a lab in their facilities. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Institut Pasteur de Dakar |
Organisation | Pasteur Institute Dakar |
Country | Senegal |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The Crick and WACCBIP have sought to accommodate the research project of a CAN Fellow by setting up the infrastructure and contractual environment to enable the Fellow's research to take place across three sites. |
Collaborator Contribution | The IPD is hosting and employing one of the fellows of the Crick African Network. This enables the fellow to trilaterally split their fellowship between the Crick, WACCBIP (Ghana) and IPD and thereby maximise the impact of the research, while allowing him to set up a lab in their facilities. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Department | MRC Unit, The Gambia |
Country | Gambia |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The Francis Crick Institute and the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM have signed an overall Collaboration Agreement (in addition to the other partners), which sets out the relationship of the two organisations, with regards to scientific collaboration. Additionally, it sets out the financial arrangements for both the core parts of the CAN programme such as the delivery of a workshop there in the first quarter of 2018, as well as the costs associated with paying for Postdoctoral Fellows who are awarded and linked to the Unit. |
Collaborator Contribution | The MRC Unit the Gambia at LSHTM has signed the above described Collaboration Agreement, and delivered a workshop in the first quarter of 2018. Furthermore, one fellowship has been awarded to Benoit Assogba, to be hosted and administered by the MRC Unit the Gambia at LSHTM. |
Impact | Dr Benoit Assogba has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship entitled 'Investigate effector molecules targeting Anopheles reproductive processes', with a value of £250,000 and a duration of 24 months. The research will incorporate time spent at the Francis Crick Institute, the MRC Unit the Gambia at LSHTM and the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) at the University of Ghana. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Department | MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Research Unit Uganda |
Country | Uganda |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Francis Crick Institute and the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit have signed an overall Collaboration Agreement (in addition to the other partners), which sets out the relationship of the two organisations, with regards to scientific collaboration. Additionally, it sets out the financial arrangements for both the core parts of the CAN programme such as the delivery of a workshop there in the first quarter of 2018, as well as the costs associated with paying for Postdoctoral Fellows who are awarded and linked to the Unit. |
Collaborator Contribution | The MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit has signed the above described Collaboration Agreement, and delivered a workshop in the first quarter of 2018. |
Impact | The MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit has delivered a Research Methods workshop and associated scientific symposium from the 7th-9th March 2018. They have also been an active participant in Steering Committee meetings, through co-investigator Dr Stephen Cose. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Stellenbosch University |
Organisation | University of Stellenbosch |
Department | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Francis Crick Institute and Stellenbosch University have signed an overall Collaboration Agreement (in addition to the other partners), which sets out the relationship of the two organisations, with regards to scientific collaboration. Additionally, it sets out the financial arrangements for both the core parts of the CAN programme such as the delivery of a workshop there in the first quarter of 2018, as well as the costs associated with paying for Postdoctoral Fellows who are awarded and linked to the Unit. |
Collaborator Contribution | Stellenbosch University has signed the above described Collaboration Agreement, and delivered a workshop in the first quarter of 2018. Furthermore, one fellowship has been awarded to Dr Brigitte Glanzmann, to be hosted and administered by Stellenbosch University. |
Impact | Dr Brigitte Glanzmann has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship entitled 'Genetic causes of recurrent tuberculosis in children', with a value of £250,000 and a duration of 24 months. The research will incorporate time spent at the Francis Crick Institute and Stellenbosch University. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | TReND |
Organisation | University of Ghana |
Department | West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens |
Country | Ghana |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | A Crick PI, Dr Lucia Prieto-Godino is also the founder/ Director of an NGO called 'TReND' (Teaching and Research in Natural Sciences for Development in Africa). Through connections made through the Crick African Network, Dr Prieto-Godino will deliver a training workshop in partnership with WACCBIP at the University of Ghana to train scientists from across the region in bioscience skills. |
Collaborator Contribution | WACCBIP at the University of Ghana will host the TReND workshop in Autumn 2018. |
Impact | The output will be the delivery of a workshop, and at the current time the planning and organisation of the workshop is ongoing. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Senegal |
Organisation | University Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar |
Country | Senegal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Crick and the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM have sought to accommodate the research project of a CAN Fellow by setting up the infrastructure and contractual environment to enable the Fellow's research to take place across three sites. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Universite Cheikh Anta Diop is hosting and employing one of the fellows of the Crick African Network. This enables the fellow to trilaterally split their fellowship between the Crick, the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, and UCAD and thereby maximise the impact of the research, while allowing her to set up a lab in their facilities. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | University of Cape Town |
Organisation | University of Cape Town |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Francis Crick Institute and the University of Cape Town have signed an overall Collaboration Agreement (in addition to the other partners), which sets out the relationship of the two organisations, with regards to scientific collaboration. Additionally, it sets out the financial arrangements for both the core parts of the CAN programme such as the delivery of a workshop there in the first quarter of 2018, as well as the costs associated with paying for Postdoctoral Fellows who are awarded and linked to the university. |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of Cape Town has signed the above described Collaboration Agreement, and contributed to the delivery of a workshop in the first quarter of 2018. Furthermore, one fellowship has been awarded to Dr Mandy Mason, to be hosted and administered by the University of Cape Town. |
Impact | Dr Mandy Mason has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship, with a project entitled 'Drug hypersusceptibility screening in Mycobacterium tuberculosis using CRISPRi-seq', with a value of £250,000 and a duration of 24 months. The research will incorporate time spent at the Francis Crick Institute, and the University of Cape Town. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana |
Organisation | University of Ghana |
Department | West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens |
Country | Ghana |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Francis Crick Institute and WACCBIP have signed an overall Collaboration Agreement (in addition to the other partners), which sets out the relationship of the two organisations, with regards to scientific collaboration. Additionally, it sets out the financial arrangements for both the core parts of the CAN programme such as the delivery of a workshop there in the last quarter of 2017, as well as the costs associated with paying for Postdoctoral Fellows who are awarded and linked to the Centre. |
Collaborator Contribution | WACCBIP has signed the above described Collaboration Agreement, and delivered a workshop in December 2017. Furthermore, two fellowships have been awarded to Dr Yaw Bediako and Dr Peter Quashie respectively, to be hosted and administered by WACCBIP. |
Impact | Dr Yaw Bediako has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship, with a project entitled 'A systems-based investigation of correlates of anti-malarial immunity'. Dr Peter Quashie has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship with a project entitled 'Phenotypic studies of HIV genotypes in West Africa'. Each fellowship has a value of £250,000 and a duration of 24 months. The research will incorporate time spent at the Francis Crick Institute, and the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) at the University of Ghana. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Article contribution on online news website by Dr Peter Quashie |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Commenting on preparations for potential pandemic by Dr Peter Quashie |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/perspectives-from-kenya-and-ghana-on-coronavirus-preparations-130488 |
Description | Presentation on being a researcher to the competitors in the National Science & Maths Quiz broadcast on national TV (Ghana) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr Yaw Bediako has been awarded a fellowship by the Crick African Network to conduct his research. He shared his experience and research with the High School competitors of the National Science & Maths Quiz which was broadcast on Ghanaian national TV and gave them an opportunity to ask questions about becoming a researcher and immunologist. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8FBQWVm7qo&feature=youtu.be |
Description | School robotics competition attending scientific symposium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The finalist teams of a inter-school robotics competition attended the scientific symposium at the event held in the Gambia, hosted by the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM. At the end of the scientific symposium, the winning team of the robotics competition was announced and then the scientist participants of the symposium engaged with the students, discussing areas of overlap of robotics with the biosciences, and school children had a chance to find out about careers in science in the Gambia. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |