Dr. Julianne Gibbs' low cost detection method could represent a major breakthrough in the fight against the global tuberculosis epidemic. Using chemically modified DNA, Gibbs and her collaborators can detect tuberculosis and multi drug resistant tuberculosis without expensive instrumentation and reagents.
To implement her method, she's applied for funding from Grand Challenges Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of people in developing countries.
"Our chemically modified DNA triggers replication when it comes in contact with DNA from a tuberculosis bacterium," explains Gibbs.
Using destabilizing DNA that can be routinely made with common reagents, a small fragment of the TB DNA sequence can be amplified and detected without temperature cycling.
"From this reaction, many copies of a small part of the TB genome are made. After amplification, there are millions of copies of the TB sequence which can be easily detected because of their high concentration."
But to implement this detection method, she needs your help. By giving your "thumbs up" to the video in the link below, you directly increase the chance of her research getting the funding it needs.
- UPDATE: The voting period has ended. Thanks for your support!
Gibbs and her students are working with researchers in regions hit hardest by this epidemic. Her collaborators include Dr. Tendai Gadzikwa from the University of Zimbabwe and Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker, Chief Operating Officer of the Desmond Tut HIV Foundation and researcher at the University of Cape Town.
To learn more about Grand Challenges Canada, visit http://www.grandchallenges.ca.