Knowledge for Tomorrow - Cooperative Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

Bewilligungen / Grants 2010

Comparative study of rotavirus infection between HIV positive and negative children less than 5 years with acute and severe diarrhoea (Dr. Nilsa de Deus)

Bewilligung: 07.10.2010 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre

Rotaviruses are one of the leading causes of diarrhea in children
worldwide with high mortality rates. In Mozambique, diarrheal diseases
remain an important problem in children up to five years old.
Furthermore, there is little information regarding the etiology of the
diarrheal diseases. Vaccination against rotavirus is being implemented
in many countries with some problems in children with
immunodeficiency. Concerns arise from reports where rotavirus detected
in tissue samples from HIV infected children were thought to be
associated with fatal outcomes. HIV positive children are the largest
immunosuppressed population which will be vaccinated against
rotavirus, mostly in developing countries. The aim of the present
study is to determine the impact of HIV on rotavirus infection and the
effect of extra-intestinal spread detection of rotavirus in clinical
outcomes of the children and genetically characterize and compare
rotavirus strains isolated from fecal samples and from sera in the
same child, to find possible determinants for tissue tropisms. By
studying the rotavirus infection in this population, the proposed
study will be able to provide recommendations to the Mozambican
Ministry of health in policymaking and the introduction of a vaccine
in Mozambique.

Bernhard-Nocht-Institut
für Tropenmedizin (BNI), Hamburg
Sektion Medizinische Mikrobiologie
Abteilung für Immunologie
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Fleischer
Postfach 30 41 20
20324 Hamburg
Tel.: 040 42818 401
Fax: 040 42828 400
Homepage: http://www.bni-hamburg.de

Centro de Investigacao
em Saúde de Manhica (CISM)
Dr. Nilsa de Deus
Maputo
MOSAMBIK
Tel.: + 258 21 810002
Homepage: www.manhica.org

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Scaling up early detection and treatment to reduce buruli ulcer morbidity in the Asante Akim North District of Ghana (Dr. Anthony Samuel Ablordey)

Bewilligung: 26.04.2010 Laufzeit: 2 Jahre

Late presentation and surgical treatment often cause significant
morbidity and disability in Buruli ulcer (BU) patients. The aim of the
study is to implement strategies for the promotion of active community
participation in early case detection and treatment seeking and to
support health centres in confirmation and treatment of BU. The
project will be carried out in the third most endemic district
(Asante-Akim north) of Ghana and will involve a baseline, intervention
and monitoring and evaluation phases. In the baseline study,
socio-medical and cultural data will be reviewed/collected to better
understand local perceptions, behaviour and attitude towards BU
treatment seeking. Intervention activities will include (i)
strengthening community capacity to identify early stages of the
disease and seeking prompt medical treatment (ii) strengthening the
health system to promptly diagnose and treat patients. The impact of
the interventions will be determined from hospital records. It is
expected that by the end of the project at least 80% of BU cases will
be detected at the pre /early ulcer stages. This will enhance the
socio-economic activities and thereby improve the livelihood of
victims.

University of Ghana, Accra
Bacteriology Department
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
(NMIMR)
College of Health Sciences
Dr. Anthony Samuel Ablordey
Legon
GHANA
Tel.: +233 21 501178/9
Fax: +233 21 502182

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Ecology of Transmission of the Deadly Lassa Virus from Rodents to Man across Various Flashpoints within Nigeria (Dr. Ayodeji Opeyemi A. Olayemi)

Bewilligung: 26.04.2010 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre

Lassa fever is a virulent hemorrhagic disease that causes recurrent
epidemics almost every year within Nigeria, resulting in numerous
deaths and constituting a perennial problem for the country's health
authorities. The dynamics of how transmission of the arenavirus that
causes this illness occurs from its rodent reservoir hosts to humans
have not been investigated in this country on a significant scale.
This project seeks, using mainly molecular methods, to determine the
prevalence of the Lassa fever virus in rodents across various spatial
and temporal parameters in key localities within Nigeria, and also to
discover particular human habits in these localities that encourage
transmission of this virus from rodents to humans. The findings
realized from this project will assist relevant health and
governmental authorities in assessing the risk of future outbreaks as
it particularly concerns primary transmission of the Lassa virus from
rodents to humans.

Obafemi Awolowo University
Natural History Museum
Dr. Ayodeji Opeyemi A. Olayemi
Ile-Ife, Osun State
NIGERIA
Tel.: +234 8051293171

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Development of genetic markers for early detection and monitoring of ivermectin resistance in onchocerca volvulus and its implication for onchocerciasis control(Dr. Mike Y. Osei-Atweneboana)

Bewilligung: 26.04.2010 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre

Continued success of onchocerciasis control and elimination programmes
worldwide is largely dependent on the sustained efficacy of ivermectin
(IVM), which remains the only drug available for the control of the
disease. However, recent reports show sub-optimal responses to
ivermectin treatment and evidence of genetic selection in Onchocerca
volvulus, raising concerns about the possible emergence of IVM
resistance. Since IVM resistance is suggested to be polygenic, genetic
analysis will be carried out on another candidate gene, gamma amino
butyric acid (GABA) receptor HG1, known to be involved in the
mechanism of IVM resistance in veterinary parasitic nematodes. A one
year epidemiological study involving skin microfilariae (mf)
assessment and nodulectomies at day 90 after treatment and a parallel
vector sampling will be carried out across wide geographical in Ghana.
Using these samples, genotyping of the selected SNPs sites will be
carried out and the best markers showing the highest consistent
pattern of SNP-selection associated with poor IVM response phenotypes
will be used to develop a small panel of markers as a diagnostic tool
for early detection of IVM resistance and for monitoring and
surveillance for IVM resistance.

Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR)
Department of Environmental Biology and Health
Water Research Institute
Dr. Mike Yaw Osei-Atweneboana
Accra
GHANA
Tel.: +233 22 403012

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Implementation of community directed intervention (CDI) for schistosomes and soil transmitted helminthes (STH) in an urban setting: Western Kenya (Dr. Pauline Mwinzi)

Bewilligung: 26.04.2010 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre

The goal of our ongoing activities is to test the feasibility of
equipping communities living in informal urban settlements in Kisumu
City, western Kenya, with strategies for schistosomiasis control,
using the community-directed intervention strategy. An initial
prevalence and distribution study to map schistosome and
soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections was carried out among 1,308
children aged 10-18 years in 34 primary schools in 8 informal urban
settlements in Kisumu City. Overall, 34% of children were infected
with one or more other helminth whereas 16.2 % of children were
infected with one or more other STH. Schools in closest proximity to
Lake Victoria and River Nyamasaria had the highest S. mansoni
prevalence while schools with STH infections were more homogenously
distributed. Our study demonstrates that schistosomiasis and STH
infections are important health priorities among schools in an
informal urban area in Kenya and highlights the need for routine
deworming programs in similar settings. Qualitative data on community
participation has been collected from Nyalenda area which had highest
prevalence of S.mansoni and is being used to design and evaluate
community wide mass treatment strategies with Praziquantel.

Center for Global Health Research
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Dr. Pauline NM Mwinzi
Postfach 1578
Kisumu 40100
KENIA
Tel.: 0721 308588

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Vector competence and filariasis transmission in Malawi (Dr. Themba
Mzilahowa)

Bewilligung: 26.04.2010 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre

Lymphatic filariasis caused by a filarial nematode, Wuchereria
bancrofti is highly endemic in Malawi. Despite its widespread nature,
the disease shows differential endemicity. It is highly endemic in the
lakeshore and low-lying district areas. Currently the entire
population has received at least two annual doses of albendazole and
ivermectin through mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns. Although
major strides have been made to control and eventually eliminate LF in
Malawi, very through MDAs little has been done to understand disease
transmission dynamics and vectors that sustain disease transmission in
the country. An understanding of the local vectors of the disease and
their biology provides a vital and necessary piece of information
required for lasting disease elimination programme. The present study
aims to determine the role of various anthropophilic mosquito genera
in LF disease transmission in Malawi. Working in three districts of
Chikhwawa, Mchinji and Karonga across the country, the study has
identified Culex sp, Mansonia sp, Anopheles gambiae s.l and An.
funestus s.l to be common potential vectors. Using molecular
techniques the various anopheline sibling species will be identified
and infectivity rates determined.

Malawi College of Medicine
Malaria Alert Centre/MLW
Dr. Themba Mzilahowa
Blantyre 3
MALAWI
Tel.: +265 1 870 145 858
Fax: +265 1 876 217

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Challenges and opportunities for nutrient efficient agriculture in West African cities - extension

Bewilligung: 15.12.2010 Laufzeit: 2 Jahre

Urban agriculture (UA) increasingly supplies food and non-food values to the rapidly growing West African cities. However, with its typically heavy use of fertilizers, agrochemicals, municipal wastes and sewage as inputs to the production of crops, vegetables and livestock feeds, UA bears severe risks of environmental pollution and food contamination. This project therefore aims at quantifying nutrient inputs, transfers and potential problems of UA activities in the three West African cities of Sikasso (Mali), Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) and Kano (Nigeria), which differ in their population density and biophysical conditions. The project couples process-oriented biophysical research and the use of bioeconomic models with a north-south transfer of knowledge in the quantification and modelling of nutrient fluxes and a south-south transfer of expertise on soil and product contamination with faecal pathogens, pesticides and heavy metals. The project thereby aims at (i) minimizing negative side effects of UA on food safety and environmental health and (ii) in cooperation with NGOs and local administrative bodies developing scientifically sound recommendations at the producers' level to enhance the resource use efficiency and productivity of the UA production systems.

Universität Kassel
FB 11: Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften
Institut für Nutzpflanzenkunde
Fachgebiet Ökologischer Pflanzenbau und Agraröko-
systemforschung in den Tropen und Subtropen
Prof. Dr. Andreas Bürkert

Universität Kassel
Fachbereich 11: Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften
Fachgebiet Animal Husbandry in the (Sub-) Tropics
Prof. Dr. Eva Schlecht

Universität Kassel
Fachbereich 11: Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften
Fachgebiet Argartechnik
Prof. Dr. Oliver Hensel

Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve
Département des sciences du milieu et de
l'aménagement du territoire (Génie Rural)
Prof. Dr. Charles Bielders
BELGIEN

Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve
Département des sciences du milieu et de
l'aménagement du territoire (Génie Rural)
Prof. Dr. Marnik Vanclooster
BELGIEN

Wageningen University
Department of Plant Science
Prof. Dr. Herman van Keulen
NIEDERLANDE

International Center for Tropical
Agriculture (CIAT), Nairobi
Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility
Institute of CIAT c/o ICRAF
Dr. André Bationo
KENIA

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Department of Soil Science
Prof. Dr. John Okhienaiye Agbenin
NIGERIA

Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST), Ouagadougou
Institut de l'environnement et de recherches
agricoles (INERA Kamboinsé)
Dr. Michel Papaoba Sedogo
BURKINA FASO

National Council for Agricultural
Research (CNRA), Bamako
Président
Dr. Adama Traoré
MALI

National Council for Agricultural
Research (CNRA), Bamako
Dr. Abdou Berthé
MALI

Deutsches Institut für Tropische und
Subtropische Landwirtschaft (DITSL), Witzenhausen
Geschäftsführer
Dr. Christian Hülsebusch

Instiut National de l'Environnement et
de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Bobo-Dioulasso
Urban Food Project
Station de Farako-Ba
Dr. Luc Hippolyte Dossa
BURKINA FASO

Ansprechpartner:
Universität Kassel
FB 11: Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften
Institut für Nutzpflanzenkunde
Fachgebiet Ökologischer Pflanzenbau und Agraröko-
systemforschung in den Tropen und Subtropen
Prof. Dr. Andreas Bürkert
Steinstr. 19
37213 Witzenhausen
Tel.: 05542 98 1228
Fax: 05542 98 1230

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Summer School on Research Methods

17.01.2011 - 28.01.2011 in Stellenbosch

Universität Marburg
Fachbereich 03
Institut für Politikwissenschaft
Prof. Dr. Dirk Berg-Schlosser, Ph.D.
Wilhelm-Röpke-Staße 6 g
35039 Marburg
Tel.: 06421 2824397
Fax: 06421 2828991
Homepage: http://www.uni-marburg.de/fb03/politikwissenschaft/institut/lehrende/bergschlosser/cvdbs

University of Stellenbosch
Centre for Research on Science and Technology and
the African Doctoral Academy
Director
Prof. Dr. Johann Mouton
Private Bag XI
Stellenbosch 7600
SÜDAFRIKA
Tel.: 021 808 3708
Fax: 021 808 2023

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Abschließende Förderung des Projekts "Reconciliation and Social Conflict in the Aftermath of Large-scale Violence in Southern Africa: The Cases of Angola and Namibia"

Bewilligung: 12.07.2010 Laufzeit: 2 Jahre

Arnold-Bergstraesser-Institut für
kulturwissenschaftliche Forschung e. V., Freiburg
Prof. Dr. Heribert Weiland
Windausstraße 16
79110 Freiburg
Tel.: 0761 88878 13
Fax: 0761 88878 78
Homepage: http://www.arnold-bergstraesser.de/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=111

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Workshop zum Thema "Determinants and Effects of Trade and Foreign Direct Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa"

20.10.2010 - 30.10.2010 in Accra, Ghana

Universität Bochum
Fakultät für Wirtschaftswissenschaft
Lehrstuhl für Internationale
Wirtschaftsbeziehungen
Prof. Dr. Matthias Busse
Postfach
44780 Bochum
Tel.: 0234 32 28902
Fax: 0234 32 14520
Homepage: http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/iwb/lehrstuhlinhaber.html

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Conservation and Sustainable Use of Amphibians in Madagascar: Integrating Species and Area Priority Assessments with a Standardization of Monitoring Techniques - extension

Bewilligung: 24.06.2010 Laufzeit: 2 Jahre

The highly diverse and endemic amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar are suitable indicators to determine conservation priorities within this island and constitute an important economic resource for the country especially in terms of ecotouristic flagship species. In the first three-year project we have aimed to provide biological baseline data to contribute to a more efficient conservation of these animals. The two-year extension will serve to provide four Malagasy students with a stable framework in which to finish and defend their PhD theses. It will allow the students to write up their results as publication manuscripts and submit them to scientific journals, and to carry out the activities that are delayed from the first project phase. Furthermore, there are several additional scientific priorities that arose from the first project phase and that the team of Malagasy students plans to address during this extension. This involves (1) research on the bushmeat trade of amphibians and it socioeconomic implications, (2) a weekly monitoring of amphibian populations at Andasibe to assess the importance of climatic variables on their activity, (3) studies on the trophic ecology, development, and behaviour of tadpoles.

Technische Universität Braunschweig
Zoologisches Institut
Abt. Evolutionsbiologie
Prof. Dr. Miguel Vences

University of Antananarivo
Sciences Faculty
Animal Biology Department
Prof. Dr. Noromalala R. Rasoamampionona
MADAGASKAR

North West University, Potchefstroom
School of Environmental Sciences and Development
Prof. Dr. Louis du Preez
SÜDAFRIKA

Zoologische Staatssammlung München
Dr. Frank Rainer Glaw

Ansprechpartner:
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Zoologisches Institut
Abt. Evolutionsbiologie
Prof. Dr. Miguel Vences
Spielmannstraße 8
38106 Braunschweig
Tel.: 0531 391 3237
Fax: 0531 391 8198
Homepage: http://www.mvences.de

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"Transdisciplinary Summerschool on Tectonics, Climate and Evolution in East Africa" from 1.09.2010 - 30.9.2010 and from 1.9.2011 - 30.9.2011 in Tanzania

01.09.2010 - 30.09.2010 in Tanzanian Rift

Universität Potsdam
Institut für Geowissenschaften
Haus 27, Raum 1.32
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Martin Trauth
Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24
14476 Potsdam
Tel.: 0331 977 5810
Fax: 0331 977 5700
Homepage: http://www.geo.uni-potsdam.de/mitarbeiter/Trauth/trauth.html

University of Nairobi
Geology Department
Prof. Dr. Eric Onyango Odada
Postfach 30197
Nairobi 00100
KENIA
Tel.: +254 20 444 9856
Fax: +254 20 444 9539
Homepage: http://uonbi.ac.ke/departments/staff_profile.php?id=126870

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Sustainable Restitution/Recultivation of Artisanal Tantalum Mining Wasteland in Central Africa

Bewilligung: 03.05.2010 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre

Hundreds of unregulated artisanal mines for tantalum ("coltan") and tin have been and still are worked in Burundi, eastern Congo (Kivu), Rwanda and Uganda. Earlier industrial mining declined because of various reasons. These activities transformed large areas into degraded and hazardous land. To mitigate this situation, the aim of our project is to produce a sciencebased,comprehensive, yet flexible system of methods and technologies which will guide administrations and local communities in dealing with the heritage of unregulated "coltan" mining, using the Gatumba mining district in Rwanda as an example. Including socioeconomic factors, the guideline system will help to restitute affected land and water resources towards sustainable use. We will also develop models for a mutually beneficial partnership between large-scale mining (currently in the planning stage) and artisanal mining, as a contribution to sustainable rural development. We will focus on three main GIS-based research sectors, comprising i) a geological and geochemical module, ii) a hydrological and groundwater module, and iii) a module encompassing soil, biological, agricultural, socioeconomic and ecological data, including present (and proposed future) productive use.

Technische Universität Clausthal
Fakultät für Energie- u. Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Institut für Endlagerforschung
FG Lagerstätten und Rohstoffe
Prof. Dr. Bernd Lehmann

Kigali Institute of Education, Kigali
Prof. Dr. Michael Biryabarema
RUANDA

Makerere University, Kampala
Faculty of Science
Department of Geology
Dr. Andrew Muwanga
UGANDA

National University of Burundi, Bujumbura
Faculty of Sciences
Earth Science Department
Dr. Louis Nahimana
BURUNDI

Technische Universität Braunschweig
Institut für Geoökologie
Prof. Dr. Rolf Nieder

Catholic University Bukavo, Bukavo
Prof. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ntagoma Kushinganine
KONGO

National University of Rwanda, Butare
Faculty of Agriculture
Dr. Daniel Rukazambuga
RUANDA

Kigali Institute of Education, Kigali
Faculty of Science
Prof. Dr. Frédéric Gatera
RUANDA

National University of Rwanda, Butare
Faculté d'Agronomie
Dr. Francois Xavier Naramabuye
RUANDA

Kigali Institute of Education, Kigali
Faculty of Science
Prof. Dr. Pontien Ndabaneze
RUANDA

Technische Universität Clausthal
Institute of Management and Economics
Prof. Dr. Heike Y. Schenk-Mathes

Ansprechpartner:
Technische Universität Clausthal
Fakultät für Energie- u. Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Institut für Endlagerforschung
FG Lagerstätten und Rohstoffe
Prof. Dr. Bernd Lehmann
Postfach 1253
38670 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Tel.: 05323 72 2776
Fax: 05323 72 2511
Homepage: http://www.min.tu-clausthal.de/lehmann.html

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Auswahlkonferenz "Natural Resources"

25.10.2010 - 27.10.2010 in Hannover

Universität Hannover
Institut für Biologische Produktionssysteme
Fachgebiet Systemmodellierung Gemüsebau
Prof. Dr. Hartmut Stützel
Herrenhäuser Straße 2
30419 Hannover
Tel.: 0511-762-2635
Fax: 0511-762-3606
Homepage: http://www.ibps.uni-hannover.de/

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Statussymposium zur Ausschreibung "Negotiating Culture in Contemporary African Societies" im Rahmen der Förderinitiative "Wissen für morgen - Kooperative Forschungsvorhaben im sub-saharischen Afrika"

04.10.2010 - 07.10.2010 in Kano, Nigeria

Universität Basel
Philosophisch-Historische Fakultät
Ethnologisches Seminar
Prof. Dr. Till Förster
Münsterplatz 19
CH-4051 Basel
SCHWEIZ
Tel.: 0041 61 2672740
Fax: 0041 61 2672747
Homepage: http://www.unibas-ethno.ch/redakteure/foerster/detail.php

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