Provide all the required technical support to enable specimen collection, transportation, laboratory investigation effectively, while adhering to correct procedures and timely sharing the laboratory findings

Lead: Mustafizur Rahman, PhD

Dr. Rahman is currently holding a position of Scientist and serving as Head of Virology Laboratory in icddr,b and an Associate Professor of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at North South University, Dhaka. Originally trained as a microbiologist, he has a broad background in virology for more than 15 years with specific training and expertise in viral molecular epidemiology, genetics, vaccine and drug trials. He published more than 100 articles in peer reviewed journals.

 

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b)

Virology Laboratory: CHAMPS laboratory activities in Bangladesh are coordinated through this lab. Laboratory research personnel received extensive training on CHAMPS specific assays especially TaqMan Array Card (TAC) in CDC Atlanta. The lab is responsible for transportation, receiving, processing, distribution and archiving of specimens. Tissue and non-tissue specimens collected from field sites are transported to the lab. Specimens are processed and aliquoted for distribution. 

  QuantStudio 7 Real Time PCR for TAC

 Nucleic acid extraction is performed using automated instruments (Precellys 24 homogenizer and KingFisher ML automated extractor) and commercial kits. Extracted nucleic acids are tested by TAC using Quant Studio 7 and ViiA7 instruments. HIV testing is conducted using GenXpert. The lab has also developed CHAMPS laboratory data management system including data entry, curation and analysis. All laboratory reagents, equipment and supplies are procured and managed by this lab. Future reference specimens and microbial isolates are stored for long term in biorepository facility in -80°C freezers. The lab also maintains liaison with CHAMPS PO and organize overseas shipments of specimens to central labs.

GeneXpert for TB/HIV testing

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory: Blood and CSF are cultured to identify microorganisms and their respective antimicrobial susceptibility profiles.

Mycobacteriology Laboratory: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (rectal Swab, lung tissue) is diagnosed using GeneXpert technology.

Microbial culture