University of Wisconsin To Open Tropical Disease Laboratory In Medellín’s Ruta-N

City backed business incubator Ruta-N announced yesterday a deal with the University of Wisconsin (USA) to establish a $2+ million laboratory in part of the space recently abandoned by Hewlett Packard. The initial term will be for three years. The venture expects to count on participation and coordination with Colombia’s PECET (Program of Study and Control of Tropical Diseases, acronyms in Spanish) and the ICMT (Colombian Institute of Tropical Medicine).

The laboratory hopes to innovate in the study of tropical diseases such as dengue fever, chickungunya, and the flu. It will also seek other research opportunities in the interest of public health, and regional priorities. The research facilities fits into Medellin’s “CT+I” plan, to become a global leader and destination in science and technology. The space will allow open collaboration between University of Wisconsin scientists, and those of PECET, ICMT, and the CIB (Corporation for Biological Investigation), and others.

Laboratory Research Goals:

• Create a unit for the investigation and traning in infectious diseases, and vector-transmitted tropical diseases.
• Develop new diagnostic methods for viral pathogens, including influenza, dengue fever, and chicungunya.
• Evaluate vaccines and antivirals against viral pathogens in animal models.
• Conduct field and laboratory studies on tropical infectious diseases and other sicknesses with a public health impact.

The University of Wisconsin, located in the city of Madison and founded in 1848, is the principal public university in the US state of Wisconsin.

Above: A training classroom inside Medellin’s Ruta N (Photo credit: Loren Moss)