/ en Tue, 18 Nov 25 15:54:13 -0500 /news/pandemic-prevention-system-wins-macarthur-foundations-100change-award <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <span>By Corie Lok</span> </span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> <div class="hero-section container"> <div class="hero-section__row row"> <div class="hero-section__content hero-section__content_left col-6"> <div class="hero-section__breadcrumbs"> <div class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__title"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storytitle"> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__description"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storybody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sentinel, a collaboration between ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, will use award to detect and stop outbreaks in low-resource settings.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__author"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodelong-storyextra-field-author-custom"> By ӳ����ý Communications </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__date"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storycreated"> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 15:54" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__right col-6"> <div class="hero-section__image"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-content-types-header"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source 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href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=vS0v4syD 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="285" height="186"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A new viral surveillance system in West Africa is showing the world how to prevent the next pandemic</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation <a href="https://www.macfound.org/press/press-releases/sentinel-awarded-100-million-to-prevent-pandemics" target="_blank">announced today</a> that it has awarded a $100 million, five-year grant to the <a href="https://www.sentinelpandemicprevention.org/" target="_blank">Sentinel project</a> — a system for detecting outbreaks in real time and preventing them from growing into potential pandemics.  </p> <p>Every year, infectious diseases cause millions of deaths and disrupt economies throughout the world. Recent outbreaks of Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox exposed the fragility of health systems, particularly the lack of low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance tools, and digital infrastructures for making fast and informed public-health decisions. </p> <p>The Sentinel program — a collaboration between the ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria — tackles these problems. The pandemic-preparedness system officially launched in 2020 with support from Flu Lab and a cohort of generous donors through TED’s Audacious Project including the ELMA Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, the Skoll Foundation, and Open Philanthropy (now called Coefficient Giving). The project now operates in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, bringing high-tech diagnostic and informatic capabilities to low-resource areas. The Sentinel team has trained more than 3,000 public health workers from 53 of 54 countries in Africa in genomics, diagnostics, sequencing, and bioinformatics, and has also supported outbreak response for Marburg virus, mpox, Lassa fever, dengue, and COVID-19. </p> <p>Over the next five years, the program aims to strengthen its systems and expand them to a national level in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and extend its reach to Senegal, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will enhance regional resilience, preparedness, and response, leading to a stronger network for early detection and prevention of pandemics.</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_Jre6B71ns?si=8bQNco6m3aJQN9iA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for this transformative investment,” said <a href="/bios/pardis-sabeti">Pardis Sabeti</a>, co-director of Sentinel and core institute member at the ӳ����ý. “With this support, we can build a future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and power to detect and stop outbreaks before they spread. It’s an opportunity to show what’s possible when science, innovation, and a sense of solidarity come together to protect humanity.” Sabeti is also a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.</p> <p>“This investment affirms that solutions to global health challenges can be led from Africa,” said <a href="https://aasciences.africa/fellows/christian-happi" target="_blank">Christian Happi</a>, co-director of Sentinel and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria. “Sentinel is about trust, collaboration, and building the systems that allow every country to respond swiftly and confidently to disease threats. With the MacArthur Foundation's support, we can create lasting resilience together.”</p> <p>“In a moment where investments in global public health are at risk, the Sentinel project will transform infectious disease surveillance and response through cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and local empowerment,” said MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey in the announcement. “Infectious diseases kill millions of people every year, disrupt regional security and economic stability, and can escalate into global crises. Sentinel detects, prevents, and preempts outbreaks to save lives and strengthen global health security.”</p> <p>“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sentinel, the winner of the MacArthur 100&Change award. It’s a powerful recognition of their bold vision and groundbreaking work but also of the tireless commitment of Drs. Pardis Sabeti, Christian Happi and their teams," said Anna Verghese, Executive Director, The Audacious Project. "Sentinel was first launched through Audacious in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pardis and Christian have become two of my personal heroes. As they continue their life’s purpose to preempt outbreaks and to save lives, their work is proof of what’s possible when audacious ideas and a deep unbreakable will to see better all come together to build a safe and healthier future for all.”</p> <p>Sentinel’s partners include Fathom Information Design, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, Central Public Health Lab, Sierra Leone (CPHRL), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Owo, Nigeria, Redeemers University, Nigeria, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Centre International de Recherche et de Formation en Génomique Appliquée et de, Surveillance Sanitaire (CIGASS) at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria, Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), DRC.</p> <p>To learn more about 100&Change and explore transformative ideas, visit <a href="https://www.100andchange.org." target="_blank">www.100andchange.org</a>.<br>  </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-broad-tags"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__row"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__title">Tags:</div> <div class="field field--name-field-broad-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/infectious-disease" hreflang="en">Infectious Disease</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/public-health" hreflang="en">Public health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/diagnostics" hreflang="en">Diagnostics</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:54:13 +0000 Corie Lok 5559716 at /news/using-ai-researchers-design-new-compounds-kill-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <span>By Corie Lok</span> </span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> <div class="hero-section container"> <div class="hero-section__row row"> <div class="hero-section__content hero-section__content_left col-6"> <div class="hero-section__breadcrumbs"> <div class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__title"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storytitle"> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__description"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storybody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sentinel, a collaboration between ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, will use award to detect and stop outbreaks in low-resource settings.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__author"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodelong-storyextra-field-author-custom"> By ӳ����ý Communications </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__date"> <div class="block 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href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=vS0v4syD 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="285" height="186"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A new viral surveillance system in West Africa is showing the world how to prevent the next pandemic</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation <a href="https://www.macfound.org/press/press-releases/sentinel-awarded-100-million-to-prevent-pandemics" target="_blank">announced today</a> that it has awarded a $100 million, five-year grant to the <a href="https://www.sentinelpandemicprevention.org/" target="_blank">Sentinel project</a> — a system for detecting outbreaks in real time and preventing them from growing into potential pandemics.  </p> <p>Every year, infectious diseases cause millions of deaths and disrupt economies throughout the world. Recent outbreaks of Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox exposed the fragility of health systems, particularly the lack of low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance tools, and digital infrastructures for making fast and informed public-health decisions. </p> <p>The Sentinel program — a collaboration between the ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria — tackles these problems. The pandemic-preparedness system officially launched in 2020 with support from Flu Lab and a cohort of generous donors through TED’s Audacious Project including the ELMA Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, the Skoll Foundation, and Open Philanthropy (now called Coefficient Giving). The project now operates in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, bringing high-tech diagnostic and informatic capabilities to low-resource areas. The Sentinel team has trained more than 3,000 public health workers from 53 of 54 countries in Africa in genomics, diagnostics, sequencing, and bioinformatics, and has also supported outbreak response for Marburg virus, mpox, Lassa fever, dengue, and COVID-19. </p> <p>Over the next five years, the program aims to strengthen its systems and expand them to a national level in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and extend its reach to Senegal, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will enhance regional resilience, preparedness, and response, leading to a stronger network for early detection and prevention of pandemics.</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_Jre6B71ns?si=8bQNco6m3aJQN9iA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for this transformative investment,” said <a href="/bios/pardis-sabeti">Pardis Sabeti</a>, co-director of Sentinel and core institute member at the ӳ����ý. “With this support, we can build a future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and power to detect and stop outbreaks before they spread. It’s an opportunity to show what’s possible when science, innovation, and a sense of solidarity come together to protect humanity.” Sabeti is also a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.</p> <p>“This investment affirms that solutions to global health challenges can be led from Africa,” said <a href="https://aasciences.africa/fellows/christian-happi" target="_blank">Christian Happi</a>, co-director of Sentinel and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria. “Sentinel is about trust, collaboration, and building the systems that allow every country to respond swiftly and confidently to disease threats. With the MacArthur Foundation's support, we can create lasting resilience together.”</p> <p>“In a moment where investments in global public health are at risk, the Sentinel project will transform infectious disease surveillance and response through cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and local empowerment,” said MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey in the announcement. “Infectious diseases kill millions of people every year, disrupt regional security and economic stability, and can escalate into global crises. Sentinel detects, prevents, and preempts outbreaks to save lives and strengthen global health security.”</p> <p>“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sentinel, the winner of the MacArthur 100&Change award. It’s a powerful recognition of their bold vision and groundbreaking work but also of the tireless commitment of Drs. Pardis Sabeti, Christian Happi and their teams," said Anna Verghese, Executive Director, The Audacious Project. "Sentinel was first launched through Audacious in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pardis and Christian have become two of my personal heroes. As they continue their life’s purpose to preempt outbreaks and to save lives, their work is proof of what’s possible when audacious ideas and a deep unbreakable will to see better all come together to build a safe and healthier future for all.”</p> <p>Sentinel’s partners include Fathom Information Design, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, Central Public Health Lab, Sierra Leone (CPHRL), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Owo, Nigeria, Redeemers University, Nigeria, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Centre International de Recherche et de Formation en Génomique Appliquée et de, Surveillance Sanitaire (CIGASS) at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria, Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), DRC.</p> <p>To learn more about 100&Change and explore transformative ideas, visit <a href="https://www.100andchange.org." target="_blank">www.100andchange.org</a>.<br>  </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-broad-tags"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__row"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__title">Tags:</div> <div class="field field--name-field-broad-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/infectious-disease" hreflang="en">Infectious Disease</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/public-health" hreflang="en">Public health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/diagnostics" hreflang="en">Diagnostics</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:02:05 +0000 tulrich@broadinstitute.org 5559321 at /news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <span>By Corie Lok</span> </span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> <div class="hero-section container"> <div class="hero-section__row row"> <div class="hero-section__content hero-section__content_left col-6"> <div class="hero-section__breadcrumbs"> <div class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__title"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storytitle"> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__description"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storybody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sentinel, a collaboration between ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, will use award to detect and stop outbreaks in low-resource settings.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__author"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodelong-storyextra-field-author-custom"> By ӳ����ý Communications </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__date"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storycreated"> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 15:54" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__right col-6"> <div class="hero-section__image"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-content-types-header"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=fqsZ0zmz 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="736" height="520"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_laptop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=t7824rZO 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="641" height="451"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=XxG6kxCr 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="706" height="417"/> <source 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href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=vS0v4syD 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="285" height="186"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A new viral surveillance system in West Africa is showing the world how to prevent the next pandemic</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation <a href="https://www.macfound.org/press/press-releases/sentinel-awarded-100-million-to-prevent-pandemics" target="_blank">announced today</a> that it has awarded a $100 million, five-year grant to the <a href="https://www.sentinelpandemicprevention.org/" target="_blank">Sentinel project</a> — a system for detecting outbreaks in real time and preventing them from growing into potential pandemics.  </p> <p>Every year, infectious diseases cause millions of deaths and disrupt economies throughout the world. Recent outbreaks of Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox exposed the fragility of health systems, particularly the lack of low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance tools, and digital infrastructures for making fast and informed public-health decisions. </p> <p>The Sentinel program — a collaboration between the ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria — tackles these problems. The pandemic-preparedness system officially launched in 2020 with support from Flu Lab and a cohort of generous donors through TED’s Audacious Project including the ELMA Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, the Skoll Foundation, and Open Philanthropy (now called Coefficient Giving). The project now operates in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, bringing high-tech diagnostic and informatic capabilities to low-resource areas. The Sentinel team has trained more than 3,000 public health workers from 53 of 54 countries in Africa in genomics, diagnostics, sequencing, and bioinformatics, and has also supported outbreak response for Marburg virus, mpox, Lassa fever, dengue, and COVID-19. </p> <p>Over the next five years, the program aims to strengthen its systems and expand them to a national level in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and extend its reach to Senegal, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will enhance regional resilience, preparedness, and response, leading to a stronger network for early detection and prevention of pandemics.</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_Jre6B71ns?si=8bQNco6m3aJQN9iA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for this transformative investment,” said <a href="/bios/pardis-sabeti">Pardis Sabeti</a>, co-director of Sentinel and core institute member at the ӳ����ý. “With this support, we can build a future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and power to detect and stop outbreaks before they spread. It’s an opportunity to show what’s possible when science, innovation, and a sense of solidarity come together to protect humanity.” Sabeti is also a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.</p> <p>“This investment affirms that solutions to global health challenges can be led from Africa,” said <a href="https://aasciences.africa/fellows/christian-happi" target="_blank">Christian Happi</a>, co-director of Sentinel and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria. “Sentinel is about trust, collaboration, and building the systems that allow every country to respond swiftly and confidently to disease threats. With the MacArthur Foundation's support, we can create lasting resilience together.”</p> <p>“In a moment where investments in global public health are at risk, the Sentinel project will transform infectious disease surveillance and response through cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and local empowerment,” said MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey in the announcement. “Infectious diseases kill millions of people every year, disrupt regional security and economic stability, and can escalate into global crises. Sentinel detects, prevents, and preempts outbreaks to save lives and strengthen global health security.”</p> <p>“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sentinel, the winner of the MacArthur 100&Change award. It’s a powerful recognition of their bold vision and groundbreaking work but also of the tireless commitment of Drs. Pardis Sabeti, Christian Happi and their teams," said Anna Verghese, Executive Director, The Audacious Project. "Sentinel was first launched through Audacious in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pardis and Christian have become two of my personal heroes. As they continue their life’s purpose to preempt outbreaks and to save lives, their work is proof of what’s possible when audacious ideas and a deep unbreakable will to see better all come together to build a safe and healthier future for all.”</p> <p>Sentinel’s partners include Fathom Information Design, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, Central Public Health Lab, Sierra Leone (CPHRL), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Owo, Nigeria, Redeemers University, Nigeria, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Centre International de Recherche et de Formation en Génomique Appliquée et de, Surveillance Sanitaire (CIGASS) at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria, Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), DRC.</p> <p>To learn more about 100&Change and explore transformative ideas, visit <a href="https://www.100andchange.org." target="_blank">www.100andchange.org</a>.<br>  </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-broad-tags"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__row"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__title">Tags:</div> <div class="field field--name-field-broad-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/infectious-disease" hreflang="en">Infectious Disease</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/public-health" hreflang="en">Public health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/diagnostics" hreflang="en">Diagnostics</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 29 Apr 2025 20:22:58 +0000 kzusi@broadinstitute.org 5558516 at /news/simple-test-flu-could-improve-diagnosis-and-surveillance <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <span>By Corie Lok</span> </span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> <div class="hero-section container"> <div class="hero-section__row row"> <div class="hero-section__content hero-section__content_left col-6"> <div class="hero-section__breadcrumbs"> <div class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__title"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storytitle"> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__description"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storybody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sentinel, a collaboration between ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, will use award to detect and stop outbreaks in low-resource settings.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__author"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodelong-storyextra-field-author-custom"> By ӳ����ý Communications </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__date"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storycreated"> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 15:54" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__right col-6"> <div class="hero-section__image"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-content-types-header"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=fqsZ0zmz 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="736" height="520"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_laptop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=t7824rZO 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="641" height="451"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=XxG6kxCr 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="706" height="417"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=GUHmKN_y 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="499" height="294"/> <img loading="eager" width="499" height="294" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=GUHmKN_y" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </picture> </div> <div class="media-caption"> <div class="media-caption__description"> Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti on the campus of Redeemer's University in 2013. </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block"> <div style="display: none"><link rel="preload" 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class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--sidebar-articles sidebar-articles"> <div class="sidebar-articles__col"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-heading field--type-text field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Related news</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-content-reference field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition."> <source 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href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 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<source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A new viral surveillance system in West Africa is showing the world how to prevent the next pandemic</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation <a href="https://www.macfound.org/press/press-releases/sentinel-awarded-100-million-to-prevent-pandemics" target="_blank">announced today</a> that it has awarded a $100 million, five-year grant to the <a href="https://www.sentinelpandemicprevention.org/" target="_blank">Sentinel project</a> — a system for detecting outbreaks in real time and preventing them from growing into potential pandemics.  </p> <p>Every year, infectious diseases cause millions of deaths and disrupt economies throughout the world. Recent outbreaks of Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox exposed the fragility of health systems, particularly the lack of low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance tools, and digital infrastructures for making fast and informed public-health decisions. </p> <p>The Sentinel program — a collaboration between the ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria — tackles these problems. The pandemic-preparedness system officially launched in 2020 with support from Flu Lab and a cohort of generous donors through TED’s Audacious Project including the ELMA Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, the Skoll Foundation, and Open Philanthropy (now called Coefficient Giving). The project now operates in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, bringing high-tech diagnostic and informatic capabilities to low-resource areas. The Sentinel team has trained more than 3,000 public health workers from 53 of 54 countries in Africa in genomics, diagnostics, sequencing, and bioinformatics, and has also supported outbreak response for Marburg virus, mpox, Lassa fever, dengue, and COVID-19. </p> <p>Over the next five years, the program aims to strengthen its systems and expand them to a national level in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and extend its reach to Senegal, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will enhance regional resilience, preparedness, and response, leading to a stronger network for early detection and prevention of pandemics.</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_Jre6B71ns?si=8bQNco6m3aJQN9iA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for this transformative investment,” said <a href="/bios/pardis-sabeti">Pardis Sabeti</a>, co-director of Sentinel and core institute member at the ӳ����ý. “With this support, we can build a future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and power to detect and stop outbreaks before they spread. It’s an opportunity to show what’s possible when science, innovation, and a sense of solidarity come together to protect humanity.” Sabeti is also a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.</p> <p>“This investment affirms that solutions to global health challenges can be led from Africa,” said <a href="https://aasciences.africa/fellows/christian-happi" target="_blank">Christian Happi</a>, co-director of Sentinel and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria. “Sentinel is about trust, collaboration, and building the systems that allow every country to respond swiftly and confidently to disease threats. With the MacArthur Foundation's support, we can create lasting resilience together.”</p> <p>“In a moment where investments in global public health are at risk, the Sentinel project will transform infectious disease surveillance and response through cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and local empowerment,” said MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey in the announcement. “Infectious diseases kill millions of people every year, disrupt regional security and economic stability, and can escalate into global crises. Sentinel detects, prevents, and preempts outbreaks to save lives and strengthen global health security.”</p> <p>“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sentinel, the winner of the MacArthur 100&Change award. It’s a powerful recognition of their bold vision and groundbreaking work but also of the tireless commitment of Drs. Pardis Sabeti, Christian Happi and their teams," said Anna Verghese, Executive Director, The Audacious Project. "Sentinel was first launched through Audacious in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pardis and Christian have become two of my personal heroes. As they continue their life’s purpose to preempt outbreaks and to save lives, their work is proof of what’s possible when audacious ideas and a deep unbreakable will to see better all come together to build a safe and healthier future for all.”</p> <p>Sentinel’s partners include Fathom Information Design, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, Central Public Health Lab, Sierra Leone (CPHRL), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Owo, Nigeria, Redeemers University, Nigeria, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Centre International de Recherche et de Formation en Génomique Appliquée et de, Surveillance Sanitaire (CIGASS) at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria, Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), DRC.</p> <p>To learn more about 100&Change and explore transformative ideas, visit <a href="https://www.100andchange.org." target="_blank">www.100andchange.org</a>.<br>  </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-broad-tags"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__row"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__title">Tags:</div> <div class="field field--name-field-broad-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/infectious-disease" hreflang="en">Infectious Disease</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/public-health" hreflang="en">Public health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/diagnostics" hreflang="en">Diagnostics</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000 adicorat 5557056 at /news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <span>By Corie Lok</span> </span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> <div class="hero-section container"> <div class="hero-section__row row"> <div class="hero-section__content hero-section__content_left col-6"> <div class="hero-section__breadcrumbs"> <div class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__title"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storytitle"> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__description"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storybody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sentinel, a collaboration between ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, will use award to detect and stop outbreaks in low-resource settings.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__author"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodelong-storyextra-field-author-custom"> By ӳ����ý Communications </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__date"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storycreated"> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 15:54" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__right col-6"> <div class="hero-section__image"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-content-types-header"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=fqsZ0zmz 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="736" height="520"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_laptop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=t7824rZO 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="641" height="451"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=XxG6kxCr 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="706" height="417"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=GUHmKN_y 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="499" height="294"/> <img loading="eager" width="499" height="294" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=GUHmKN_y" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </picture> </div> <div class="media-caption"> <div class="media-caption__description"> Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti on the campus of Redeemer's University in 2013. </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block"> <div style="display: none"><link rel="preload" 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class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--sidebar-articles sidebar-articles"> <div class="sidebar-articles__col"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-heading field--type-text field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Related news</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-content-reference field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition."> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/100Change-Finalists-vid-1920x1080-41-.png?itok=VjY36wbU 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/png" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/100Change-Finalists-vid-1920x1080-41-.png?itok=VjY36wbU 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/png" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/100Change-Finalists-vid-1920x1080-41-.png?itok=EvjpZs8E 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/png" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/100Change-Finalists-vid-1920x1080-41-.png?itok=EvjpZs8E 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/png" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_tablet/public/longstory/100Change-Finalists-vid-1920x1080-41-.png?itok=LQWB_sYw 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/png" width="285" height="186"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/100Change-Finalists-vid-1920x1080-41-.png?itok=HoiuAOzl 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/png" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/100Change-Finalists-vid-1920x1080-41-.png?itok=HoiuAOzl" alt="Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition." title="Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition." typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=vS0v4syD 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="285" height="186"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A new viral surveillance system in West Africa is showing the world how to prevent the next pandemic</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation <a href="https://www.macfound.org/press/press-releases/sentinel-awarded-100-million-to-prevent-pandemics" target="_blank">announced today</a> that it has awarded a $100 million, five-year grant to the <a href="https://www.sentinelpandemicprevention.org/" target="_blank">Sentinel project</a> — a system for detecting outbreaks in real time and preventing them from growing into potential pandemics.  </p> <p>Every year, infectious diseases cause millions of deaths and disrupt economies throughout the world. Recent outbreaks of Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox exposed the fragility of health systems, particularly the lack of low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance tools, and digital infrastructures for making fast and informed public-health decisions. </p> <p>The Sentinel program — a collaboration between the ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria — tackles these problems. The pandemic-preparedness system officially launched in 2020 with support from Flu Lab and a cohort of generous donors through TED’s Audacious Project including the ELMA Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, the Skoll Foundation, and Open Philanthropy (now called Coefficient Giving). The project now operates in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, bringing high-tech diagnostic and informatic capabilities to low-resource areas. The Sentinel team has trained more than 3,000 public health workers from 53 of 54 countries in Africa in genomics, diagnostics, sequencing, and bioinformatics, and has also supported outbreak response for Marburg virus, mpox, Lassa fever, dengue, and COVID-19. </p> <p>Over the next five years, the program aims to strengthen its systems and expand them to a national level in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and extend its reach to Senegal, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will enhance regional resilience, preparedness, and response, leading to a stronger network for early detection and prevention of pandemics.</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_Jre6B71ns?si=8bQNco6m3aJQN9iA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for this transformative investment,” said <a href="/bios/pardis-sabeti">Pardis Sabeti</a>, co-director of Sentinel and core institute member at the ӳ����ý. “With this support, we can build a future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and power to detect and stop outbreaks before they spread. It’s an opportunity to show what’s possible when science, innovation, and a sense of solidarity come together to protect humanity.” Sabeti is also a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.</p> <p>“This investment affirms that solutions to global health challenges can be led from Africa,” said <a href="https://aasciences.africa/fellows/christian-happi" target="_blank">Christian Happi</a>, co-director of Sentinel and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria. “Sentinel is about trust, collaboration, and building the systems that allow every country to respond swiftly and confidently to disease threats. With the MacArthur Foundation's support, we can create lasting resilience together.”</p> <p>“In a moment where investments in global public health are at risk, the Sentinel project will transform infectious disease surveillance and response through cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and local empowerment,” said MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey in the announcement. “Infectious diseases kill millions of people every year, disrupt regional security and economic stability, and can escalate into global crises. Sentinel detects, prevents, and preempts outbreaks to save lives and strengthen global health security.”</p> <p>“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sentinel, the winner of the MacArthur 100&Change award. It’s a powerful recognition of their bold vision and groundbreaking work but also of the tireless commitment of Drs. Pardis Sabeti, Christian Happi and their teams," said Anna Verghese, Executive Director, The Audacious Project. "Sentinel was first launched through Audacious in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pardis and Christian have become two of my personal heroes. As they continue their life’s purpose to preempt outbreaks and to save lives, their work is proof of what’s possible when audacious ideas and a deep unbreakable will to see better all come together to build a safe and healthier future for all.”</p> <p>Sentinel’s partners include Fathom Information Design, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, Central Public Health Lab, Sierra Leone (CPHRL), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Owo, Nigeria, Redeemers University, Nigeria, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Centre International de Recherche et de Formation en Génomique Appliquée et de, Surveillance Sanitaire (CIGASS) at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria, Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), DRC.</p> <p>To learn more about 100&Change and explore transformative ideas, visit <a href="https://www.100andchange.org." target="_blank">www.100andchange.org</a>.<br>  </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-broad-tags"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__row"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__title">Tags:</div> <div class="field field--name-field-broad-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/infectious-disease" hreflang="en">Infectious Disease</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/public-health" hreflang="en">Public health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/diagnostics" hreflang="en">Diagnostics</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000 adicorat 5556791 at /news/close-research-partnership-african-scientists-helps-solve-mystery-malaria-illnesses <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <span>By Corie Lok</span> </span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> <div class="hero-section container"> <div class="hero-section__row row"> <div class="hero-section__content hero-section__content_left col-6"> <div class="hero-section__breadcrumbs"> <div class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__title"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storytitle"> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__description"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storybody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sentinel, a collaboration between ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, will use award to detect and stop outbreaks in low-resource settings.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__author"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodelong-storyextra-field-author-custom"> By ӳ����ý Communications </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__date"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storycreated"> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 15:54" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__right col-6"> <div class="hero-section__image"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-content-types-header"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=fqsZ0zmz 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="736" height="520"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_laptop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=t7824rZO 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="641" height="451"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=XxG6kxCr 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="706" height="417"/> <source 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href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="104" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=7gPRQMVG 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="87" height="104"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=vS0v4syD 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="285" height="186"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A new viral surveillance system in West Africa is showing the world how to prevent the next pandemic</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation <a href="https://www.macfound.org/press/press-releases/sentinel-awarded-100-million-to-prevent-pandemics" target="_blank">announced today</a> that it has awarded a $100 million, five-year grant to the <a href="https://www.sentinelpandemicprevention.org/" target="_blank">Sentinel project</a> — a system for detecting outbreaks in real time and preventing them from growing into potential pandemics.  </p> <p>Every year, infectious diseases cause millions of deaths and disrupt economies throughout the world. Recent outbreaks of Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox exposed the fragility of health systems, particularly the lack of low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance tools, and digital infrastructures for making fast and informed public-health decisions. </p> <p>The Sentinel program — a collaboration between the ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria — tackles these problems. The pandemic-preparedness system officially launched in 2020 with support from Flu Lab and a cohort of generous donors through TED’s Audacious Project including the ELMA Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, the Skoll Foundation, and Open Philanthropy (now called Coefficient Giving). The project now operates in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, bringing high-tech diagnostic and informatic capabilities to low-resource areas. The Sentinel team has trained more than 3,000 public health workers from 53 of 54 countries in Africa in genomics, diagnostics, sequencing, and bioinformatics, and has also supported outbreak response for Marburg virus, mpox, Lassa fever, dengue, and COVID-19. </p> <p>Over the next five years, the program aims to strengthen its systems and expand them to a national level in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and extend its reach to Senegal, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will enhance regional resilience, preparedness, and response, leading to a stronger network for early detection and prevention of pandemics.</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_Jre6B71ns?si=8bQNco6m3aJQN9iA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for this transformative investment,” said <a href="/bios/pardis-sabeti">Pardis Sabeti</a>, co-director of Sentinel and core institute member at the ӳ����ý. “With this support, we can build a future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and power to detect and stop outbreaks before they spread. It’s an opportunity to show what’s possible when science, innovation, and a sense of solidarity come together to protect humanity.” Sabeti is also a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.</p> <p>“This investment affirms that solutions to global health challenges can be led from Africa,” said <a href="https://aasciences.africa/fellows/christian-happi" target="_blank">Christian Happi</a>, co-director of Sentinel and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria. “Sentinel is about trust, collaboration, and building the systems that allow every country to respond swiftly and confidently to disease threats. With the MacArthur Foundation's support, we can create lasting resilience together.”</p> <p>“In a moment where investments in global public health are at risk, the Sentinel project will transform infectious disease surveillance and response through cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and local empowerment,” said MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey in the announcement. “Infectious diseases kill millions of people every year, disrupt regional security and economic stability, and can escalate into global crises. Sentinel detects, prevents, and preempts outbreaks to save lives and strengthen global health security.”</p> <p>“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sentinel, the winner of the MacArthur 100&Change award. It’s a powerful recognition of their bold vision and groundbreaking work but also of the tireless commitment of Drs. Pardis Sabeti, Christian Happi and their teams," said Anna Verghese, Executive Director, The Audacious Project. "Sentinel was first launched through Audacious in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pardis and Christian have become two of my personal heroes. As they continue their life’s purpose to preempt outbreaks and to save lives, their work is proof of what’s possible when audacious ideas and a deep unbreakable will to see better all come together to build a safe and healthier future for all.”</p> <p>Sentinel’s partners include Fathom Information Design, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, Central Public Health Lab, Sierra Leone (CPHRL), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Owo, Nigeria, Redeemers University, Nigeria, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Centre International de Recherche et de Formation en Génomique Appliquée et de, Surveillance Sanitaire (CIGASS) at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria, Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), DRC.</p> <p>To learn more about 100&Change and explore transformative ideas, visit <a href="https://www.100andchange.org." target="_blank">www.100andchange.org</a>.<br>  </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-broad-tags"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__row"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__title">Tags:</div> <div class="field field--name-field-broad-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/infectious-disease" hreflang="en">Infectious Disease</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/public-health" hreflang="en">Public health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/diagnostics" hreflang="en">Diagnostics</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000 chenders@broadinstitute.org 5556586 at /news/researchers-use-ai-identify-new-class-antibiotic-candidates <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"> <span>By Corie Lok</span> </span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-11-18T15:54:13-05:00" class="datetime">November 18, 2025</time> </span> <div class="hero-section container"> <div class="hero-section__row row"> <div class="hero-section__content hero-section__content_left col-6"> <div class="hero-section__breadcrumbs"> <div class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__title"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storytitle"> <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"><h1>Pandemic prevention system wins MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award</h1> </span> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__description"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storybody"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sentinel, a collaboration between ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, will use award to detect and stop outbreaks in low-resource settings.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__author"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodelong-storyextra-field-author-custom"> By ӳ����ý Communications </div> </div> <div class="hero-section__date"> <div class="block 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1921px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=Us7NML0I 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1601px) and (max-width: 1920px)" type="image/jpeg" width="754" height="503"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_desktop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=fqsZ0zmz 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1340px) and (max-width: 1600px)" type="image/jpeg" width="736" height="520"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_laptop/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=t7824rZO 1x" media="all and (min-width: 800px) and (max-width: 1339px)" type="image/jpeg" width="641" height="451"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_header_tablet/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=XxG6kxCr 1x" media="all and (min-width: 540px) and (max-width: 799px)" type="image/jpeg" width="706" height="417"/> <source 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class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--sidebar-articles sidebar-articles"> <div class="sidebar-articles__col"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-heading field--type-text field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Related news</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-content-reference field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition."> <source 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href="/news/sentinel-program-among-finalists-100-million-100change-competition" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sentinel program among finalists for the $100 Million 100&Change competition</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field__item"><article about="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-multiple-ct-sidebar-link-with-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <picture role="img" aria-label="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University"> <source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_desktop_xl/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=_7gBfUIk 1x" media="all and (min-width: 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<source srcset="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e 1x" media="all and (max-width: 539px)" type="image/jpeg" width="220" height="186"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic"><img loading="eager" width="220" height="186" src="/files/styles/multiple_ct_sidebar_link_with_image_phone/public/longstory/7F5A5285%20%281%29.JPG?itok=uvaL-P0e" alt="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" title="Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti stand outside Redeemer's University" typeof="foaf:Image"></a> </picture> </div> </article> </div> <div class="node__content"> <a href="/news/new-viral-surveillance-system-west-africa-showing-world-how-prevent-next-pandemic" class="node__title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A new viral surveillance system in West Africa is showing the world how to prevent the next pandemic</span> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation <a href="https://www.macfound.org/press/press-releases/sentinel-awarded-100-million-to-prevent-pandemics" target="_blank">announced today</a> that it has awarded a $100 million, five-year grant to the <a href="https://www.sentinelpandemicprevention.org/" target="_blank">Sentinel project</a> — a system for detecting outbreaks in real time and preventing them from growing into potential pandemics.  </p> <p>Every year, infectious diseases cause millions of deaths and disrupt economies throughout the world. Recent outbreaks of Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox exposed the fragility of health systems, particularly the lack of low-cost diagnostics, disease surveillance tools, and digital infrastructures for making fast and informed public-health decisions. </p> <p>The Sentinel program — a collaboration between the ӳ����ý and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria — tackles these problems. The pandemic-preparedness system officially launched in 2020 with support from Flu Lab and a cohort of generous donors through TED’s Audacious Project including the ELMA Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, the Skoll Foundation, and Open Philanthropy (now called Coefficient Giving). The project now operates in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, bringing high-tech diagnostic and informatic capabilities to low-resource areas. The Sentinel team has trained more than 3,000 public health workers from 53 of 54 countries in Africa in genomics, diagnostics, sequencing, and bioinformatics, and has also supported outbreak response for Marburg virus, mpox, Lassa fever, dengue, and COVID-19. </p> <p>Over the next five years, the program aims to strengthen its systems and expand them to a national level in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and extend its reach to Senegal, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will enhance regional resilience, preparedness, and response, leading to a stronger network for early detection and prevention of pandemics.</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_Jre6B71ns?si=8bQNco6m3aJQN9iA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for this transformative investment,” said <a href="/bios/pardis-sabeti">Pardis Sabeti</a>, co-director of Sentinel and core institute member at the ӳ����ý. “With this support, we can build a future where every community has the tools, knowledge, and power to detect and stop outbreaks before they spread. It’s an opportunity to show what’s possible when science, innovation, and a sense of solidarity come together to protect humanity.” Sabeti is also a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.</p> <p>“This investment affirms that solutions to global health challenges can be led from Africa,” said <a href="https://aasciences.africa/fellows/christian-happi" target="_blank">Christian Happi</a>, co-director of Sentinel and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria. “Sentinel is about trust, collaboration, and building the systems that allow every country to respond swiftly and confidently to disease threats. With the MacArthur Foundation's support, we can create lasting resilience together.”</p> <p>“In a moment where investments in global public health are at risk, the Sentinel project will transform infectious disease surveillance and response through cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and local empowerment,” said MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey in the announcement. “Infectious diseases kill millions of people every year, disrupt regional security and economic stability, and can escalate into global crises. Sentinel detects, prevents, and preempts outbreaks to save lives and strengthen global health security.”</p> <p>“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sentinel, the winner of the MacArthur 100&Change award. It’s a powerful recognition of their bold vision and groundbreaking work but also of the tireless commitment of Drs. Pardis Sabeti, Christian Happi and their teams," said Anna Verghese, Executive Director, The Audacious Project. "Sentinel was first launched through Audacious in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pardis and Christian have become two of my personal heroes. As they continue their life’s purpose to preempt outbreaks and to save lives, their work is proof of what’s possible when audacious ideas and a deep unbreakable will to see better all come together to build a safe and healthier future for all.”</p> <p>Sentinel’s partners include Fathom Information Design, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, Central Public Health Lab, Sierra Leone (CPHRL), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Owo, Nigeria, Redeemers University, Nigeria, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Centre International de Recherche et de Formation en Génomique Appliquée et de, Surveillance Sanitaire (CIGASS) at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria, Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), DRC.</p> <p>To learn more about 100&Change and explore transformative ideas, visit <a href="https://www.100andchange.org." target="_blank">www.100andchange.org</a>.<br>  </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-section container"> <div class="content-section__main"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodelong-storyfield-broad-tags"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__row"> <div class="block-node-broad-tags__title">Tags:</div> <div class="field field--name-field-broad-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/infectious-disease" hreflang="en">Infectious Disease</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/public-health" hreflang="en">Public health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/broad-tags/diagnostics" hreflang="en">Diagnostics</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:30:46 +0000 tulrich@broadinstitute.org 5556221 at