Co-Investigators

• Assoc. Prof. Raph Hamers – OUCRU Indonesia
• Dr Chee Wah Tan – Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
• Prof. Narisara Chantratita – Mahidol University, Thailand
• Assoc. Prof. Juthathip Mongkolsapaya – Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Thailand
• Prof. Phaik Yeong Cheah – Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Thailand
• Prof. Susanna Dunachie – University of Oxford, UK
• Prof. David Stuart – University of Oxford, UK
• Prof. Gavin Screaton – University of Oxford, UK
• Prof. Yvonne Jones – University of Oxford, UK
• Vu Duy Thanh – Public & Community Engagement Team

Southeast Asia (SEA) represents a weakness in the global COVID-19 pandemic response because many countries do not have the required capacity to conduct advanced analysis to determine the potential threat of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

A multidisciplinary research platform that would enable locally-led research response to COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks. This project is delivered by the Viet Nam and Thailand Wellcome Africa Asia Programmes (AAP), bringing together a multidisciplinary team in Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam with partners in Singapore, the UK and the US. It will strengthen regional scientific capacity that can be rapidly deployed for future outbreak responses.

Objectives:

1. Establish a new SEA research platform that supports locally-led investigations evaluating the biology of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
2. Employ state-of-the-art structural biology to provide a rapid prediction of the ability of new variants to evade host immunity and drugs.
3. Evaluate the impact of circulating variants of concern (VOCs) on antibody and T-cell responses in SEA populations and the clinical consequences of infection.
4. Create a framework for effective communication and engagement with policymakers and the public concerning new virus variants and their potential to threaten public health.