Weekend Updates

Hey everyone (and by 'everyone' I mean the two or three people who actually read this), welcome to another glimpse into my life here in Vitoria, Brasil. I'll start with the events from last Friday. I spent some time talking to a doctor that is here from the New Jersey Medical School about a Tuberculosis project he is preparing. After about two hours of going over all the specifics I was impressed and eager to lend a hand in this endeavor. The essential goal is a common one in the Infectious Disease world, why are certain strains of TB more virulent than others, specifically what is it about their genetic makeup that gives them an edge in causing disease in humans. Here in Brasil TB is a huge and ongoing problem, especially as resistance rates to antibiotics are on the rise.

The major stumbling point in this study will be in the data gathering portion. The medical care infrastructure here is good, but it's not like the US. Care givers working in the affiliated hospitals of Greater Vitoria have been known to not collect all the data that they should. With a project of this magnitude it is going to be critical to gather all the requisite data from all the patients enrolled, and it must be accurate in order not to screw up the subsequent statistical analysis work. In other words, it will mainly be an issue of quality control. If done properly, this study has the potential to really elucidate some genetic areas of interest in the M. tuberculosis genome that could lead to new, more effective drugs. My goal during the time I'm here is to organize a write up of the pilot study that is about to launch and submit it to a peer reviewed journal. I'm really excited that an opportunity for a deliverable during my time here has finally sprung up.

In other news, on Saturday I went with some of the people from the 'Nucleo' to beach in Vila Velha. I was very impressed with the scene there, far more beautiful than the beaches in Vitoria. There were also some impressive waves that managed to batter me against the ocean floor. The rip tide was quite strong so I had to be careful not to be sucked out to sea. Afterwards we went to a bar and had numerous cervejas (beers) along with a famous brazilian seafood stew, 'moqueca'. It was quite an extravaganza of food and drinks, which lead to a long nap upon my arrival back at the house.

Sunday was very laid back. I was hoping to go to the samba school but plans for that seem to have fallen through. This weeklooks to bring some more exciting developments, I'll let you all know. Peace