| The strategic R&D approach of the ART-A program has been described in detail in paragraph 7a, Application Form A. The first phase of the strategic R&D approach addresses the development of laboratory procedures for assessment of HIVDR in resource limited settings. The projects 1 and 2 of the ART-A program are incorporated in this phase and will be closely related. Project 2 will focus on the development and evaluation of an integrated and affordable HIVDR genotyping approach. Project 2 aims to develop an affordable home-brew genotyping assay as well as an automated software for sequence editing, suitable for all viral subtypes circulating at the African continent. The genotyping assay will be further supplemented with a rapid, easy, and affordable real-time PCR based, screening assay for detecting of marker mutations for HIVDR. Finally, the genotyping assay to be developed will be compatible with Virco s antivirogram assay, thereby allowing phenotypic determination of drug susceptibility whenever clinically necessary. Technology transfer will consist of transferring the scientific knowledge that results from this study to Africa, including PhD training. Effective implementation of the technology will be achieved through the Training Work Package (project 4). UMCU-Virology is the project coordinator. |
