Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI)

Experience

The mission of the BRTI is to promote the health and quality of life of the peoples of Africa through research and training in the field of biomedicine. The institute emphasises the need to establish and maintain the highest levels of quality, professionalism, ethical standards and efficiency in its activities, and publishes these webpages in a spirit of openness and transparency.

During the last 15 years the BRTI has been involved in the following research activities:

Diagnosis and detection of sexually transmitted infections
Evaluation of new diagnostic tests for HIV, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis
Investigation into genetic factors in susceptibility to tuberculosis
Study of the determinants of access to TB services in southern Africa
Epidemiology of arboviral infections
Immunological studies in cryptococcal meningitis
Phytotherapy treatment for H IV infection
HIV epidemiological studies and prevention strategies in rural areas of Manicaland
Impact of macroeconomic policies on health indicators
Prevention of tuberculosis and other infections among factory workers
Identification of pathogens in pneumonia
Evaluation of case-finding strategies for the detection of tuberculosis in the community
Studies into the health, economic impact and sociological consequences of orphanhood.
Clinical trials on new treatments for TB.
These studies have received funding from a variety of international agencies including the Wellcome Trust, the European Community, the IDRC, the World Health International Organisation, DANIDA, the National Institutes of Health, the Atomic Energy Agency, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, UNAIDS, Plan International Global fund and others. Most research at BRTI is carried out through collaboration between local and international scientists. The BRTI tries to ensure that this is a true collaboration and towards this goal, BRTI encourages the employment of undergraduate and postgraduate students on the projects. This is an important mechanism for capacity strengthening in the region. Before embarking on a collaborative project, a Memorandum of Understanding is prepared, setting out the commitments and expectations from both sides. Regular meetings are held between the scientific and administrative staff of BRTI and the Principal Investigator of each project to ensure that problems are identified and dealt with at an early stage. New projects are being identified continuously and we actively encourage local scientists to apply for research funding to support this.

Research interests

BRTI is a member of TESA (Trials of Excellence in Southern Africa), and has worked with the University of Zimbabwe, Stanford University, and African University. Also a member of the International Centres of Excellence for Malaria Research.

Disease areas

• HIV
• Malaria
• Maternal Health
• TB

Other information

BRTI has administritative offices, training facilities, laboratories within the National Institute for Health Research.
BRTI runs training programmes, such as a recent course in genomics and diagnostics in HIV, TB and malaria.
BRTI also has an Ethics Research Unity (ERU) which has been running since 2008, with support from EDCTP.