The main objective of our project is to establish an integrated and synergistic network to address the challenge of drug-resistant TB facing the EU. The objective will be attained through the establishment of a European consortium of expert partners with extensive experience in the conduct of basic and clinical research relating to MDR-TB, TB control and molecular epidemiology.

This Consortium will achieve this by:

• Conducting an extensive and focused programme of basic/clinical research to increase the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of resistance in M. tuberculosis and to improve the diagnosis and management of MDR-TB
• Develop a broad training curriculum leading to the creation of a new generation of scientists and clinicians expert in the management of drug resistant TB
• Create field sites across the EU with the capacity for performing operational research on new diagnostic systems and novel drug therapies on behalf of European industry and government
• Establish a unified and robust quality assurance mechanism for the accurate and rapid diagnosis of drug resistance and develop appropriate safety standard for European health care workers
• Improving our understanding of the transmission of MDR-TB at the molecular level and host-related risk factors for its development
• The Consortium will disseminate its findings and analyses widely to the benefit of specialists, general health care staff, EU governments, NGOs and health policy makers.

This will provide researchers and clinicians with appropriate knowledge and improved tools to fight MDR-TB, and assist European industry in the development of new diagnostics and treatments. Consortium outputs will assist governments in the development and implementation of appropriate health and social policies to limit and control the spread of MDR-TB within the member states of the EU. Internationally, these objectives will assist countries bordering the EU and international agencies such as the WHO and ECDC in reducing the impact of drug resistance.

Overall, our proposal combines Europe's outstanding experts in the field of drug resistant tuberculosis. Many of the partners have a history of successful development of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, conduction of clinical trials, productive collaboration in previous EU-and other agencies funded projects, and we are assisted by a professional management company. The proposal is designed to foster both the highest possible degree of mutual interactions and a great flexibility in the interactions with other partners, as required for high quality science with a strong socio-economic impact.