Research

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    The MLW research strategy has been formulated to accommodate new scientific innovations and new ideas while continuing to support the MLW Programme’s areas of excellence and build on previous outputs. The research activities of the MLW Programme are focused under five large overlapping Research Themes to develop multiple synergistic projects with sufficient critical mass to maintain research excellence. The Programme remains responsive to the research and postgraduate training needs of Malawi, and has strong collaborative links with other research institutions both nationally and internationally

    The Themes encompass the following  5 interlinked areas:

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    Health in the Population:

    cross-cutting research theme translating laboratory and hospital based research to a community setting with a focus on  malaria, HIV, TB, diarrhoea and acute lower respiratory tract Infection.

     

    Brain Diseases

    the basic biology, genetics, immunology and clinical manifestations of diseases that affect the brain including malaria, meningitis, encephalitis, stroke and epilepsy, in both children and adults.

     

    Therapeutics in the Tropics

    novel drugs and novel drug combinations in the treatment of malaria; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the Tropics; Pharmacovigilance; and understanding the mechanisms of drug side-effects.

     

    Severe Bacterial Infection

    the molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis and management of bacteraemia, pneumonia and meningitis in adults and children

     

    Mucosal & Vaccine Immunity

    immune responses to bacterial pathogens that infect via the mucosa; influence of HIV on naturally acquired and vaccine induced immune responses; effects of clinical and subclinical infections on vaccine-induced immunity; novel strategies for vaccine prevention

     

  • In addition to these Themes, we have established a Molecular Mechanisms of Disease cross-cutting research interest group. The group brings together interests in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of life-threatening disease from other research themes to promote inter-Theme collaboration, journal clubs and exchange of ideas. The aim is to increase the potential to translate MLW research into clinical application,  improve diagnostics and develop new treatments.

  • This research framework enhances the capacity building by the MLW Programme; promotes the scientific standing of the Programme nationally and internationally; provides exceptional research opportunities that will attract and retain senior investigators from around the world; and ensures that clinicians and scientists in the early stages of their career achieve their full research potential.