FUNDING ORGANIZATION	RESEARCH ORGANIZATION	PROGRAM	DIRECTOR	CITY	COUNTRY	ABSTRACT
	EC	UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM	SYNDROMIC APPROACH TO NEGLECTED INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NID) AT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE LEVEL: AN INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION ON INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC-TREATMENT PLATFORMS	EL SAFI, SAYDA	KHARTOUM	SUDAN	View
Neglected Infectious Diseases (NID) such as trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis receive less than 5% of the global investment for tropical diseases research. Clinical praxis in disease-endemic countries (DEC) is rarely evidence based and does not make use of the latest innovations in diagnostic technology. NID–related research on diagnostics is particularly underfunded, and diagnostic tools are lacking for a number of NID. The aim of this proposal is to bridge the gap between existing technological innovation in diagnostics and clinical care practice for NID in resource-poor settings. The specific objectives are to develop simple, cost-effective diagnosis-treatment algorithms for three NID-related clinical syndromes: the persistent fever, the neurological and the digestive syndromes. Evidence-based algorithms for the primary care level will be designed with a patient-centred approach, following guidance from DEC stakeholders and making the best possible use of existing assays and treatments. Relevant diagnostic technology and diagnostic platforms will be introduced according to the specific epidemiological contexts in Africa and South-Asia. The research consortium brings together a network of clinical epidemiologists, a diagnostics development group, several partners from academia and SMEs. The consortium further includes workpackages on reference laboratory, economic evaluation, quality assurance and translation to policy. By developing accurate and affordable diagnostic platforms and by optimizing diagnostic-treatment algorithms, this project will rationalise treatment use, circumvent progression to severe presentations and thereby reduce NID morbidity/mortality and hinder the emergence of resistances. The project will result in two main deliverables: policy recommendation for health authorities in DEC, and a series of innovative diagnostic platforms.
	EC	UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM	TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT EUROPEAN VIRTUAL INSTITUTE DEDICATED TO MALARIA RESEARCH (EVIMALAR).	IBRAHIM, MUNTASER	KHARTOUM	SUDAN	View
This is a proposal from 54 partners from 37 institutes to form a NoE that will seek to integrate European malaria research that is directed towards a better understanding of the basic biology of the parasite, its vector and of the biology of the interactions between the parasite and both its mammalian host and vectors. All the member institutes and researchers have demonstrated both their excellence and their ability to contribute to a successful network. The structure of the proposed network significantly evolves prior concepts of network structure introducing new modes of research that have recently emerged. Comprising of 5 research clusters the core activities will include molecular cell biology of the parasite, host immunity, vector biology, population biology and systems biology. One arm of the network activities will be concerned with the timely and effective translation of research respecting the IP rights of partner institutes. The network will also contribute significantly to the production of the next generation of malaria researchers through the operation of an expanded European PhD School for malaria research based at EMBL, students enjoying two supervisors based in different member states. Bespoke training courses for PhD students and network personnel will be offered throughout the duration of the network to maximise individual potential. To create a long term benefit from network activities a limited programme of post-doctoral fellowships within the network will be established. Furthermore, individual career mentoring facilities and an alumni association will continue to guide and engage network graduates. New members will be affiliated annually on a competitive basis with an emphasis on young, emerging Principle Investigators. Through the establishment of an umbrella Foundation and active lobbying of government and non-government funding agencies as well as the establishment of a charitable profile the network will strive to become self-determining.
	MRC	UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM	MATERNAL MORBIDITY AFTER CAESAREAN SECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: LONG TERM FOLLOW-UP OF A LARGE FACTORIAL TRIAL	EL SHEIKH, M	KHARTOUM	SUDAN	View
Caesarean section is one of the most common operations in the world, yet the techniques used to perform it have not been adequately evaluated in randomised controlled trials. Operative techniques vary between surgeons, and the frequency of the operation means than even small improvements in outcome may allow substantial improvements in the health of mothers, particularly in developing countries, where post-operative morbidity is high. The CORONIS trial will evaluate alternative techniques for the five most important aspects of the operation in a fractional factorial randomised controlled trial of 15,000 women: ?blunt? v. ?sharp? abdominal entry; extra-abdominal v. pelvic repair of the uterine incision; single v. double layer closure of the uterus; closure v. non-closure of the pelvic and parietal peritoneum; chromic catgut v. Vicryl for closure of the uterus. The short-term primary outcome of the study is serious maternal morbidity. This follow-up study will allow us to assess long-term outcomes at 3 years after the original caesarean section to determine the impact of the different techniques on outcomes including: involuntary infertility and outcomes of subsequent pregnancies including uterine rupture.
	MRC	UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM	PREVENTION OF MATERNAL MORBIDITY AFTER CAESAREAN SECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A FACTORIAL RCT OF SURGICAL METHODS	EL SHEIKH, M	KHARTOUM	SUDAN	View
Caesarean section is one of the most common operations in the world, yet the techniques used to perform it have not been adequately evaluated in randomised controlled trials. Operative techniques vary widely between surgeons, and the frequency of the operation means than even small improvements in outcome may allow substantial improvements in the health of mothers, particularly in developing countries, where post-operative morbidity is high. The International CAESAR study aims to evaluate alternative techniques for the five most important aspects of the operation in a large pragmatic randomised controlled trial: ?blunt? v. ?sharp? abdominal entry; extra-abdominal v. intra-abdominal repair of the uterine incision; single v. double layer closure of the uterus; closure v. non-closure of the pelvic and parietal peritoneum; chromic catgut v. Vicryl for closure of the uterus and rectus sheath. Women are eligible if they are undergoing a lower segment caesarean section, and if no specific surgical technique is indicated. The primary outcome of the study is serious maternal morbidity. Short term secondary outcomes such as endometritis, wound infection, pain and maternal mortality will also be measured. The trial sample size is 14,904 women recruited over three years from at least 12 hospitals in seven developing countries.