title: Modular laboratories--cost-effective and sustainable infrastructure for resource-limited settings.
abstract: High-quality laboratory space to support basic science, clinical research projects, or health services is often severely lacking in the developing world. Moreover, the construction of suitable facilities using traditional methods is time-consuming, expensive, and challenging to implement. Three real world examples showing how shipping containers can be converted into modern laboratories are highlighted. These include use as an insectary, a molecular laboratory, and a BSL-3 containment laboratory. These modular conversions have a number of advantages over brick and mortar construction and provide a cost-effective and timely solution to offer high-quality, user-friendly laboratory space applicable within the developing world.
authors.affiliation: Akros, Cresta Golfview Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique; Entomology Branch, Centers for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Abt Associates Inc., Bethseda, Maryland; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, London, United Kingdom; ZAMBART Project, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia dbridges@akros.com.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.affiliation: Akros, Cresta Golfview Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique; Entomology Branch, Centers for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Abt Associates Inc., Bethseda, Maryland; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, London, United Kingdom; ZAMBART Project, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Colborn
authors.affiliation: Akros, Cresta Golfview Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique; Entomology Branch, Centers for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Abt Associates Inc., Bethseda, Maryland; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, London, United Kingdom; ZAMBART Project, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Adeline S T
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Akros, Cresta Golfview Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique; Entomology Branch, Centers for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Abt Associates Inc., Bethseda, Maryland; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, London, United Kingdom; ZAMBART Project, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.affiliation: Akros, Cresta Golfview Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique; Entomology Branch, Centers for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Abt Associates Inc., Bethseda, Maryland; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, London, United Kingdom; ZAMBART Project, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Dereje
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dengala
authors.affiliation: Akros, Cresta Golfview Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique; Entomology Branch, Centers for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Abt Associates Inc., Bethseda, Maryland; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, London, United Kingdom; ZAMBART Project, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Christen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fornadel
authors.affiliation: Akros, Cresta Golfview Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique; Entomology Branch, Centers for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Abt Associates Inc., Bethseda, Maryland; President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, London, United Kingdom; ZAMBART Project, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kosloff
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration*; D040841:Resource Allocation