New ELASA (Aptamer-Based ELISA) for Ebola
Base Pair has been collaborating with Dr. Misaki Wayengera of Makerere (TMA2015CDF1545) University in Uganda to explore aptamers for the development of simpler, more sensitive assays for the diagnosis of Ebolavirus.
Ebolavirus is a filovirus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a high rate of mortality. Believed to originate with the fruit bat, the virus can be transferred from infected animals and insects and also through the transfer of blood, mucus, or interaction with infected materials. On August 1, 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa declared a new outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the North Kivu Province. As of June 9, 2019, there have been 1,968 confirmed cases and 1,296 confirmed deaths. An experimental vaccine is being administered and a clinical trial for a new therapeutic is underway.
GP1 glycoprotein appears as spikes on the surface of the Ebolavirus virion. The glycoprotein is a heterodimer consisting of a GP1 and GP2 subunit. The glycoprotein forms a trimer consisting of three heterodimers on the virion surface. The GP1 subunit is involved in attachment to host cells and includes a receptor-binding domain. The smaller GP2 subunit includes a fusion peptide, a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail. Glycoprotein residues involved in host entry are highly conserved between Zaire, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire and Reston species of Ebolavirus.
https://www.basepairbio.com/elasa-aptamer-based-elisa/
Articles
Edctp Fellow Awarded Wellcome Leap Grant For Tb Research
EDCTP Career Development Fellow Dr Virginie Rozot, a research officer at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), has been awarded a multi‑year contract under Wellcome Leap’s Delta Tissue (∆T) programme. Her research will investigate how the human immune system responds to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the thoracic lymph nodes, and why these responses sometimes fail, allowing the bacteria to spread to other organs. The findings are expected to inform future TB vaccine design and vaccination strategies.
Applications Are Now Open For The Edctp Prizes 2027
Global Health EDCTP3 is now inviting applications for the EDCTP Prizes 2027, recognising outstanding individuals and research teams from Africa and Europe for their achievements in global health research and innovation.
The 2027 edition will award four prize categories, highlighting excellence in scientific leadership, collaborative team research, and gender-balanced scientific contributions. Prize winners will be announced at the EDCTP Forum 2027 in Madrid, Spain. Submissions are open until 2 September 2026.
Edctp Forum 2027: Calls For Abstracts, Scientific Symposia And Workshops Now Open
Global Health EDCTP3 has opened the calls for abstracts, scientific symposia and workshops for the EDCTP Forum 2027, one of the leading global health research events focused on infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. The deadline for submissions is 2 September 2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time).
Under the theme ‘Innovating together for resilient global health', the 13th edition of the EDCTP Forum, taking place from 5-9 April 2027 in Madrid, Spain, will offer researchers, policymakers, funders and implementers the opportunity to showcase their work at a flagship global health event.
The Forum offers a unique platform to share research findings, build partnerships and help shape discussions on global health priorities. Currently, submissions for abstracts, scientific symposia and workshops are open.