Lao – Lux lab / Vaccine preventable diseases 2015

Head of Laboratory: Professor Claude MULLER, Scientific Director
Representative of Laboratory: Dr Antony BLACK

Main objective of the lab:
The LaoLux Laboratory is operated by the infectious disease research unit at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg (LIH) and aims to build capacity for investigations of important human and animal infectious diseases and to initiate and support collaborative research projects in Lao PDR. The laboratory carries out country-specific research in Lao PDR focusing on vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, identification of new viruses and variants and other investigations. These studies are important to estimate the burden of specific infections, to promote virus outbreak control, to improve animal health welfare and productivity, to support public health policies and vaccination programmes and to optimize health strategies.

laolux

The research projects include important components:
+ Investigation of public and animal health challenges caused by infectious diseases
+ Training of laboratory and academic staff and students both at IPL and CRP-Santé
+ Implementation of  new technologies by technology transfer and by providing equipment
+ Providing international visibility to scientists from Lao PDR and access to the international scientific community
+ Dissemination of research results through scientific publications, presentations and international meetings as well as national and international press releases.
+ Technical and scientific support for other laboratories in Lao PDR
+ Teaching/training of laboratory staff from collaborating laboratories

Areas of research and surveillance include:
+ Immunology and genetic/antigenic diversity of viruses including molecular epidemiology
+ Public health issues related to infectious diseases in humans (measles virus, rubella virus, mumps virus, hepatitis virus, respiratory viruses etc).
+ Public health and animal welfare issues related to veterinary viruses

Visiting scientists from Institute of Immunology, Luxembourg:
Dr. Konstantin Evdokimov.
Dr. Maude Pauly

Institut de la Francophonie pour la Medecine Tropicale students trained in 2015:
Dr. Kinnaly Saidalasuk (Junior Scientist since October 2015).
Dr. Vilaysone Khounvisith (Junior Scientist since October 2015).
Dr. Phonepaseuth Khampanisong (Junior Scientist since October 2015).

Financial support
The laboratory is funded by a grant from the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Team:
Scientist
1. Antony BLACK, Ph. D (Laboratory representative)
2. Phonethipsavanh NOUANTHONG, Ph. D (Post-doctoral researcher)

Junior Scientist
1. Keooudomphone VILIVONG, MD
2. Siriphone VIRACHITH

Technician
1. Did PANYATHONG
2. Latdavone KHENKHA

PhD student:
Kostantin EVDOKIMOV

Lab activities 2015-2016
+Serosurveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and hepatitis C in healthcare workers from Lao PDR
+Diphtheria seroprevalence in Huaphan Province
+Hepatitis B and C virus in Lao blood donors
+Varicella zoster outbreak
+Evaluation of zoonotic virus circulation and transmission in domestic animals from mixed farms in rural Lao PDR

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