Training of students from the Universities of Madagascar in the detection of PATHOgene agents by molecular biologic techniques (PathoBio)

Project summary PathoBio is a project initiated by the University of Reunion for the benefit of two Universities in Madagascar. It is carried out in close collaboration with the University of Antananarivo and aims to equip the latter and, subsequently, another university in the region, with a bio-molecular platform in order to train students in RT-PCR. PathoBio is complementary to the MASCAREIGNA biomed project (R&D program on infectious processes impacting the Indian Ocean) which provides for the deployment of molecular biology hospital platforms. Students trained under PathoBio will thus acquire the skills required to integrate these platforms. Goals Join a strategy to help health structures serving the population of Madagascar by training operational technicians backed by molecular biology university platforms that are strictly identical to hospital platforms (same equipment, reagents and consumables); Take into account the socio-economic context of Madagascar by proposing the RT-PCR system. This device is open and innovative (simplex or multiplex method based on WHO and CNR techniques) while being affordable (less than one euro per test); Beyond these short-term objectives, the project will make it possible to set up and therefore strengthen the collaboration between the University of La Réunion and the University of Antananarivo and, subsequently with other Malagasy Universities with a view to exchange of knowledge and technical skills beyond COVID-19 alone, by adapting the techniques taught to other infectious pathologies and tropical diseases impacting the population of Madagascar (malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, HIV, etc.).