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. 2019;2(2):1-5.
doi: 10.15641/ghi.v2i2.822. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

C-THAN: A new research center for the development of point-of-care technology for HIV/AIDS

Sally M McFall  1   2 , Mamoudou Maiga  1   2   3 , Matthew R Glucksberg  1   2 , Kara M Palamountain  1   4 , Chad J Achenbach  5 , Robert L Murphy  1   2   5
Affiliations

C-THAN: A new research center for the development of point-of-care technology for HIV/AIDS

Sally M McFall et al. Glob Health Innov. 2019.

Abstract

The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS at Northwestern University (C-THAN) is a partner in the Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network (POCTRN) of the National Institutes of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. POCTRN's mission is to drive the development of appropriate point-of-care (POC) diagnostic technologies through collaboration that merges scientific and technological capabilities with clinical need. C-THAN develops POC technologies for improved management of HIV/AIDS in low- and middle-income countries with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. C-THAN incorporates clinical and user needs with technology expertise and resources to address commercialization and implementation barriers through: 1) assessment of unmet clinical needs in POC testing for HIV/AIDS and its comorbidities; 2) collaborations with physicians, researchers and engineers; 3) development of technical, clinical, industrial and regulatory partnerships; 4) clinical testing of prototype devices; and 5) creation of training opportunities for technology developers, evaluators, and other stakeholders. Technologies supported include tests for detection and monitoring of HIV/AIDS and its common comorbidities including tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, viral hepatitis and HIV-related malignancies. CTHAN relies on collaborations established by Northwestern University in Nigeria, South Africa, Mali and Tanzania, to have impact on the prevention and clinical management of HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; diagnosis; low-and-middle income countries; point-of-care.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Logo of C-THAN. Designed to illustrate C-THAN’s commitment to serving patients living with HIV in Africa.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Four interconnected C-THAN cores.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Product development support through the concerted effort of C-THAN cores.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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