For more information contact:

Ria Madison
Project Administrator
Botswana Harvard Partnership
Private Bag 320
Princess Marina Hospital
Gaborone
Botswana

email: rmadison@bhp.org.bw

Botswana-Harvard HIV Reference Laboratory

The new Botswana-Harvard HIV Reference Laboratory, built with funds from the Government of Botswana and equipped with funds from the Harvard AIDS Institute and its various partners in research, will conduct cutting-edge research in HIV and AIDS for Botswana and southern Africa.

The HIV Reference Laboratory will serve as the leading facility for the processing and testing of specimens from the Partnership's HIV research studies as well as specimens from Botswana's national programs. With the use of sophisticated equipment and techniques, the personnel of the new The HIV Reference Laboratory will conduct a wide variety of research.

Initially, the new facility will have the capacity to run qualitative DNA PCR tests, ELISA, and Western Blot serological assays to accurately diagnose infection, together with quantitative viral load determination and CD4/CD8 counts to allow physicians to effectively monitor and treat their patients. Culturing of the virus, as well as DNA cloning, sequencing, immune function assays and flow cytometry allow scientists to unravel and understand the molecular structure of HIV, its pathogenesis, and the nature of our immunity to the virus, which, together, translate into effective, Botswana-specific HIV treatment and prevention programs.

The lab will expand to accommodate the future research initiatives of the region.