Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi)

The Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi) was inaugurated on March 1, 2014. Collaborating scientists from the USA Canada, and France work at ideSHi, which is an active hub for scientists and research fellows as well as undergraduate, graduate and PhD students.

The ideSHi, which has been registered as a non-profit foundation, was made possible thanks to an award from Fondation Christophe et Rodolphe Mérieux, the Grand Prize conferred to Dr. Firdausi Qadri in June 2012. In terms of governance, the ideSHi is overseen by a seven-member executive board composed of experts and entrepreneurs.

Mission

The primary missions and objectives of the ideSHi are:

• To create awareness, build capacities, and power innovations to make Bangladesh a leader in biomedical sciences and translational research on a regional and global scale.
• To provide solutions to public health problems through the translation of innovative ideas into technologies.
• To work on infectious disease areas with an emphasis on enteric and respiratory diseases as well as the diagnosis of genetic disorders in Bangladesh.

Organization

The research institute is located in Dhaka, on the premises of the Center for Medical Biotechnology of the Directorate General of Health Services of the Institute of Public Health. The laboratory is equipped with BSL-2 facilities to carry out molecular, immunological and genetic studies.

This institute runs training courses for medical personnel, clinicians and biomedical researchers with a focus on biomedical sciences and biotechnology, areas where there are crucial needs in Bangladesh and in the developing world in general.

Research activities

The ideSHi’s primary focus is the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and studies of this disease. In addition, the ideSHi carries out work on other genetic disorders including Down's syndrome, hereditary neurodegenerative diseases (i.e., Huntington's disease) and infectious diseases. The foundation was designed with a view to carrying out humanitarian and research programs to develop pragmatic solutions to public health problems, strengthening local scientific capacities and encouraging innovation.

The work of ideSHi also includes facilitating and organizing scientific training programs as well as planning seminars, symposia and conferences to generate academic discussions on local, regional and global health issues. The Institute is furthermore committed to providing world-class educational opportunities to graduate and postgraduate level students to improve the technical capabilities of scientists in Bangladesh.

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