Following the Lao Health Minister's visit to France in 2005, Dr. Christophe Mérieux decided to provide aid to Laos to support its fight against infectious diseases. With this in mind, the Fondation Mérieux financed the construction of the new Christophe Mérieux Centre of Infectiology of Laos, a training and applied research facility dedicated to national public health programs.
The Christophe Mérieux Centre of Infectiology of Laos (CICML) comprises the Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory of Laos, a conference center and a library. It was officially inaugurated in January 2009, and it is now a part of the Laos public health institutions. The Fondation Mérieux provides the Centre with ongoing support to so that it may gain operational and financial autonomy through the establishment of national and international partnerships.
Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory (RML)
The Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory of Laos (RMLL) is located on the premises of the Christophe Mérieux Centre of Infectiology. This 120 m2 laboratory includes two BSL-2+ (Biosafety Level 2) rooms – an ISO8 dust control room for solution preparation, and a separate room for the analysis of results. Another part of the laboratory is dedicated to applied research in molecular biology, where the amplification of nucleic acids (traditional PCR and Real-Time PCR) and gel analysis are carried out.
Objectives
- Train students (medical doctors and pharmacists) in the field of clinical pathology by providing them with an opportunity to conduct applied research projects on infectious diseases.
- Host projects with an impact on public health in Laos.
Each year, the strategic orientation council approves and sets priorities for the activities carried out at the Christophe Mérieux Infectiology Center of Laos. Council members come from the Lao Ministry of Health and Fondation Mérieux.
Team
The RML team members include:
- A general director, who coordinates the activities of the Christophe Mérieux Center of Infectiology in conjunction with the Ministry of Health
- A scientific director
- A research assistant
- 3 full-time technicians
- Students from the University of Health Sciences and the IFMT