Organization

The activity of RESPARI is subdivided into 4 main work packages that encompass the major goals of the program.

The first two work packages (Molecular epidemiology & Clinical microbiology and Development of diagnostic tools) are under way through a core grant received by the Agence Française de Développement with the aim of strengthening the reference laboratories (IP Cambodia, IP Ho Chi Minh, IP Nha Trang, IP Shanghai, NIHE, NCLE), developing the surveillance system for detection of emerging pathogens and organizing a regional network response to epidemics.  This activity is known under the acronym SISEA (Surveillance and Investigation of Endemic Situations in South-East Asia).

Projects of WP3 (Molecular research & Therapy development) are centered on three main areas: the understanding of basic mechanisms of virus-host cell interactions, the development of new vaccines and vaccine strategies, and the search for new molecules with anti-viral activity.

The fourth package (Training & Teaching) wants to implement training of researchers, medical doctors and through top-tier courses (Pasteur-Asia Virology at HKU-PRC, Bio-Safety training course at IPS), that will become a reference for the region.

The program is managed by a Scientific Coordinator and an Administrative Manager that report to the Direction of International Affairs and the Director General of the Pasteur Institute in Paris.  The scientific progress of the work packages is monitored by an international Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).  The mission of the SAB is to evaluate the main goals and structure of the work packages, the advancement of the planned deliverables, scientific output and the overall impact of the RESPARI program.  The composition of the SAB is:

• Yves CHAMPEY
  Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi)
  Geneva, Switzerland

• Jeremy FARRAR
  Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hospital for Tropical Diseases
  Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

• François FREYMUTH
  Laboratory of Human and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Center
  Caen, France

• Hans-Dieter KLENK
  Institute of Virology, Philipps University
  Marburg, Germany

• Charles MAYAUD
  Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Tenon
  Paris, France

The SAB meets at least once a year, on the occasion of the annual RESPARI workshop and delivers a confidential report with specific criticism/recommendation to follow up the implementation of the activities.  SAB members are encouraged to visit participating centers on a more informal basis.

The financial part of the program is audited annually.