Drexel University College of Medicine Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant For Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and Development
Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) funds individuals worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mold in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. Vinnard's project is one of over 100 Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 grants announced today by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"Grand Challenges Explorations encourages individuals worldwide to expand the pipeline of ideas where creative, unorthodox thinking is most urgently needed," said Chris Wilson, director of Global Health Discovery and Translational Sciences at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We're excited to provide additional funding for select grantees so that they can continue to advance their idea towards global impact."
To receive funding, Vinnard and other Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 winners demonstrated in a two-page online application a bold idea in one of five critical global heath and development topic areas that included agriculture development, immunization and nutrition. Applications for the current open round, Grand Challenges Explorations Round 9, will be accepted through May 15, 2012.
Vinnard's project identifies a new technology platform, specifically a point-of-care test for anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug bioavailability, that can be translated into a safe, accurate, and inexpensive diagnostic test, revolutionizing the approach to TB treatment in resource-limited settings. Bioavailability is a measure of the amount of drug that is actually absorbed from a given dose.
"Many TB patients have poor drug absorption and bioavailability, which leads to worse treatment outcomes," said Vinnard. "Yet, the standard method for measuring bioavailability uses technology that is unavailable in resource-limited settings. Our bold idea challenges the current treatment paradigm by proposing that all TB patients should have access to testing for anti-TB drug bioavailability, based on information obtained from an inexpensive point-of-care test, which would revolutionize the treatment of TB around the world."
Vinnard's project will evaluate urine colorimetry as a novel diagnostic test for anti-TB drug bioavailability, with the long-term goal of developing an inexpensive, modest technology that can be utilized in global regions without access to expensive laboratory-based assays. Colorimetry is a technique used to determine the concentration of colored compounds in a solution by measuring its absorbance of a specific wavelength of light.
"We see enormous potential for urine colorimetry to provide detailed, quantitative measures of anti-TB drug bioavailability that would inform clinical decision-making," said Vinnard. "We believe wide use of this testing approach will improve patient outcomes and decrease transmission of TB within low- and middle-income communities."
About Grand Challenges Explorations
Grand Challenges Explorations is a US$100 million initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Launched in 2008, over 600 people in 45 countries have received Grand Challenges Explorations grants. The grant program is open to anyone from any discipline and from any organization. The initiative uses an agile, accelerated grant-making process with short two-page online applications and no preliminary data required. Initial grants of US$100,000 are awarded two times a year. Successful projects have the opportunity to receive a follow-on grant of up to US$1 million.
About Drexel University College of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine has established some of the most highly innovative and rigorous academic programs available today, incorporating the University's expertise in engineering and technology into traditional medical training. The College of Medicine is home to one of the nation's leading centers for spinal cord research; one of the foremost centers for malaria study; and a highly regarded HIV/AIDS program with extensive NIH-funded research in prevention and therapeutic interventions. Drexel University College of Medicine has been designated a Vanguard National Center of Excellence in Women's Health by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and is highly respected in numerous other specialties including cardiology and pain management.