To be trained on pseudoparticle virus neutralisation assays method
Dr Ndongo Dia from Institut Pasteur Dakar, Senegal, arrived in Hong Kong on Monday 18th January 2016 for a 8 weeks training on pseudoparticle virus neutralisation assays method. This method was developed here in HKU-Pasteur Research Pole by Drs Mahen Perera and Pei-gang Wang as a sensitive and specific assay for detecting antibodies to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) based on the production of pseudotyped particles. It has been published in 2013 (you can find the publication here). Ndongo Dia is member of the Virology Pole group at Institut Pasteur Dakar directed by Dr Amadou Alpha Sall. His research focuses on respiratory viruses, mainly influenza, and non-influenza respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus, rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, bocaviruses…). Ndongo Dia is also involved in the National Influenza Center activities in Dakar. This training will lead to a collaboration with HKU-Pasteur Research Pole to conduct serological surveillance of emerging respiratory viruses in the West Africa region.
