Study of genotype diversity of hepatitis C virus isolates in the Central Asian region.
Project Status: 3 Approved without Funding
Duration in months: 24 months
Objective
Project aim - To make a genetic profile of isolates of hepatitis C virus circulating in the Central Asian region.
The Central Asian region is still insufficiently known. Until now studies of genotypic diversity of hepatitis C virus infection among residents of the republics of Central Asia have not been conducted. There is no the epidemiological control of infection.
The project is expected to hold a large-scale genotyping of hepatitis C virus isolated from blood plasma of patients from different regions of Central Asia, primarily in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The project results will be useful for health care institutions of the republics of Central Asia. Map of the distribution of genotypes of hepatitis C virus will provide the sufficient amount of information for the surveillance agencies. This information will allow the centers to track the spread of the infection, and will assess the success of antiviral activities in the region.
The project will be carried out by a team of specialists with many years of experience in working with pathogens. Many participants in the project have previously been involved in large-scale studies conducted in the defense of the USSR, and in the years of independence proved to be excellent experts of biotechnology and molecular biology. The main institution is a division of the National Center for Biotechnology of the Republic of Kazakhstan the ‘Biomedpreparat’ LLP.
‘Biomedpreparat’ LLP is a successor of the Stepnogorsk Research, Development and Production Base (SRDPB), which was a part of the ‘Biopreparat’ of the USSR Ministry of Defense.
The project provides an opportunity for scientists and engineers, who in the past were involved in the development of biological weapons of mass destruction, to implement their knowledge and skills in peaceful research activities.
Implementation of the project assumes 2 years of work. Plans for the first year: establishment of contact with medical centers and signing the memoranda of cooperation; collection of biological material from the patients with HCV; preparation of cDNA genomes of virus isolates; creating of cDNA library of genomes of HCV isolates. Plans for the second year: conduction of genome genotyping of HCV; mapping of HCV genotypes of the Central Asian region; creating a database of HCV genotypes of the Central Asian region; collection and compilation of normative and technical documentation for the registration of the results of scientific and technical activities and the protection of Intellectual Property.
Collaborators will participate in the discussion of the project results, giving the guidelines for the implementation of the project, participate in the training seminars. Moreover, collaborators will assist in achieving a successful outcome of the project by studying the experience of the leading experts in their respective countries and by auditing the Kazakh laboratories. Finally, collaborators will facilitate the participation of the laboratory staff in international conferences related to the topic of the project, in general publications and patenting of research results.
Participating Institutions
LEADING
Limited Liability Partnership Scientific Analytical Center Biomedpreparat
PARTICIPATING
Limited Liability Partnership Biostem
COLLABORATOR
National Institute of Health of the US Department of Health & Human Services
