Roche Pharmaceuticals and Google.org have teamed up to develop a comprehensive surveillance and research center in East Africa to predict and prevent the spread of new infectious diseases. In a region where a large number of diseases originate and new outbreaks are frequent, the new research venture could save thousands of lives in Africa and across the globe.

The project will concentrate primarily on arthropod-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Using a Genome Sequencer FLX system donated by Roche, scientists will be able to monitor human and livestock populations for infection, conduct genetic research on emergent diseases and respond quickly to new threats. In addition, Google’s philanthropic arm has given a $5 million grant to the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and various Kenyan government agencies for advanced research on insect-borne disease discovery and prevention.

“This new technology will play a very important role in promoting the capacity of surveillance and research groups in East Africa, to leap over constraints of currently available technologies and be able to discover infectious agents circulating unrecognized in our environment and monitor the evolutionary trends in the viral pathogens in order to remain current with the diagnostics and management options,” said researcher Rosemary Sang.

It is estimated that 70 percent of all infectious diseases are transmissible between human and animals. The icipe works across Africa to improve food production, and animal and human health through sustainable and affordable practices. The organization also works with indigenous medical practitioners to build and strengthen local capacity across the continent.

The genome sequencer will be donated to a joint research venture between the ILRI and Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa based in Nairobi. The venture provides East and Central African researchers access to advanced technology and is part of a pan-African network of bio-science research centers and bio-informatics platforms.

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