Isolation and Cryopreservation of Trypanosomes and their Vectors for Research and Development in Resource‐ Constrained Settings

Abstract

Biorepositories for biological samples have increasingly become very important in supporting biomedical research since the 1990s. The Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute Cryo‐bank for trypanosomes and their vectors was established in the 1970s with the aim of providing research materials to scientists. Over 2000 trypanosome isolates have been collected and stored in dewars under liquid nitrogen. Recent collections include tsetse flies—vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis. Challenges encountered include distances to remote field sites and impassable roads and the cost of collection, preparation, storage, and maintenance under resource‐ constrained settings. Under these settings, the challenges can be overcome through strategic leadership that ensures availability and sustainability of resources, appropriate institutional policies, adoption of multidisciplinary approach where appropriate, working with different sectors such as human health, livestock, and wildlife, and environmental conservation in order to leverage on capacities in these sectors, and acknowledging the role of communities from which materials are collected.