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Review
. 2022 Nov:124 Suppl 1:S69-S74.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.03.012. Epub 2022 Mar 14.

Blue Skies research is essential for ending the Tuberculosis pandemic and advancing a personalized medicine approach for holistic management of Respiratory Tract infections

Francine Ntoumi  1 , Eskild Petersen  2 , Peter Mwaba  3 , Eleni Aklillu  4 , Sayoki Mfinanga  5 , Dorothy Yeboah-Manu  6 , Markus Maeurer  7 , Alimuddin Zumla  8
Affiliations
Review

Blue Skies research is essential for ending the Tuberculosis pandemic and advancing a personalized medicine approach for holistic management of Respiratory Tract infections

Francine Ntoumi et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: Investments into 'Blue Skies' fundamental TB research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have not been forthcoming. We highlight why blue skies research will be essential for achieving global TB control and eradicating TB.

Methods: We review the historical background to early TB discovery research and give examples of where investments into basic science and fundamental 'blue skies research' are delivering novel data and approaches to advance diagnosis, management and holistic care for patients with active and latent TB infection.

Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that making available adequate funding for priority investments into 'Blue skies research' to delineate scientific understanding of a new infectious diseases threat to global health security can lead to rapid development and rollout of new diagnostic platforms, treatments, and vaccines. Several advances in new TB diagnostics, new treatments and vaccine development are underpinned by basic science research.

Conclusions: Blue Skies research is required to pave the way for a personalized medicine approach for management of TB and other Respiratory Tract Infections and preventing long-term functional disability. Transfer of skills and resources by wealthier nations is required to empower researchers in LMICs countries to engage in and lead Blue Skies research.

Keywords: Research; Tuberculosis; basic science; blue skies research; fundamental.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest All authors have an interest in TB. All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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