Updates from the MPRU conference in Dakar

06 Dec 2019

The 2019 MPRU conference took place at Dakar, Senegal from 13 to 15 November 2019. The conference was intentionally organized on the African continent to allow more African-based colleagues and collaborators to attend the meeting. The scientific presentations were given both by senior investigators and early career researchers such as PhD students. The conference facilitated new interdisciplinary and international collaborations, especially around the topic of surveillance, epidemiology, and vaccine design for mucosal pathogens. A short tour of the Insitut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) was also organized. IPD is a national reference center and WHO collaborating center for multiple viral diseases, as well as the only WHO pre-qualified yellow fever vaccine producer based in Africa. While the vaccine production facility was closed due to infrastructure improvement work, academic scientisits received an enlightening tour of the national reference centers.

Pictures from the 2019 MPRU conference.

  • Group picture of MPRU conference delegates. Picture shows around 53 people of various ages, genders and ethnicity standing in front of a pool, with one hand raised. A palm tree, half hidden sculpture and clear skies are in the background.
  • An adult man standing behind a podium, in front of a projector screen.
  • Two pictures, each of an adult man standing behind a podium, in front of a projector screen.
  • Picture of people sitting around a table having a conversation, with more people milling about in the background
  • Group picture of some MPRU attendees and our hosts at IPD. Picture shows 21 people of various ages, genders, ethnicity.
  • Picture of the entrance of Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), a white building with many windows, an open glass door and handrail from the steps leading to the entrance. Building sign reads "A PASTEVR, L'AFRIOVE NOIRE RECONNAISSANTE"
  • Picture shows a bust of a man on a pedestal. Engraved on the pedestal are is the name of the man "LOUIS PASTEUR." The background is of a garden with a variety of trees, bushes and a single storey building.