Professor Beate Kampmann (Theme Leader – Vaccinology) and colleagues have recently won a five-year MRC programme grant to develop a novel “toolbox” for the understanding of childhood TB by integrating prospective data from epidemiology, molecular biology and immune signatures derived from children in household cohorts. Local co-investigators will further develop tools based on both host immune response and microbiology and work with new external collaborators, who are highly experienced in modelling and cost effectiveness analysis.

The development of novel diagnostic tools for childhood TB represents a strategic research priority for MRC Unit The Gambia. Drawing on the strength of the existing TB Case Contact platform and the Reach4Kids programme, The Unit is ideally placed to make a significant contribution in this field.