Disposable, low-cost test kit for arsenic in resource limited markets
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The effects of arsenic in drinking water have been called by WHO "The greatest mass poisoning of a population inhuman history" and whilst remediation is the long term solution the need for a quick, cheap, simple and accurate determination is immediate, to avoid poisoning, and necessary to prioritise and validate the remediation activities. In this project we intend to use the unique characteristics of an arsenite oxidising enzyme (specificity and catalytic activity) combined with the technology behind the glucose test strips used by millions of diabetics every day to produce a low cost and reliable arsenite biosensor suitable for field use in resource poor environments. The strips would give an accurate measure of arsenic levels at the 'well side' at a price point that will encourage widespread adoption.
| Description | 1. We have shown that the enzyme used in the arsenic sensors can be produced in quantities sufficient for production of large numbers (10,000's) for sensor strips for field trials and early deployment. 2. We have developed a prototyping method based on low-cost metal-on-polymer materials that can be laser ablated to define the electrodes onto which enzyme ban be deposited in a highly reproducible fashion using precision liquid printing. 3. We have formulated the enzyme with additives that improve its stability |
| Exploitation Route | We have now developed the production capabilities to make enough sensors that are sufficiently reproducible to take into field trials. We are also adapting our sensors so they can be combined with arsenic remediation systems to monitor the latter's performance and let the users know when they need to regenerate/replace the arsenic removal cartridges. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment,Healthcare |
| Description | The work allowed a company, Bionano Consulting, to assess the commercial opportunities and technical risks in building a business around arsenic testing in resource-limited environments. They were able to use the results to successfully bid for an InnovateUK Newton Fund grant to work with partners in India (IIT Madras, Chennai) on a combined sensing/remediation approach to arsenic contamination of drinking water. To better develop further exploitation opportunities Bionano Consulting Ltd span out a separate commercial company, AquAffirm Ltd (www.aquaffirm.com) to focus on its water based business |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | SuperFoF |
| Amount | £528,417 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2014 |
| End | 04/2016 |
| Description | Development Partnership |
| Organisation | Bionano Consulting Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The research was initiated and proven by my team and then the technology transferred to the collaborators. We also supplied know how and materials. Subsequently the partner spun out a new company (AquAffirm Ltd) to pursue further exploitation opportunities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners established commercial links with collaborating companies and research organisations overseas as potential end users. |
| Impact | The collaboration has enabled our partners to successfully win InnovateUK funding to continue the commercialisation activities |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Title | MODIFIED ARSENITE OXIDASE AND A BIOSENSOR FOR DETECTING ARSENITE |
| Description | The present invention provides an arsenite oxidase enzyme modified to prevent translocation by modification of a translocation signal sequence. A microorganism modified to express the heterologous arsenite oxidase enzyme is also provided by the invention, together with a device for detecting the presence of arsenite in a sample. |
| IP Reference | US2014238857 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | The asignee was able to win further funding from InnovateUK for commercial development |
| Company Name | AquAffirm Ltd |
| Description | The company was spun out from BioNano Consulting Ltd to give a greater focus on the arsenic sensing development. It is currentlly fund raising to scale up manufacture of sensing devices for water borne toxins |
| Year Established | 2018 |
| Impact | None as yet |
| Description | Invited Lecture at SciEx 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An invited lecture at Sciex2018 in Reno USA |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited Talks (PI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited lecture at Bangalore India Nano Conference and subsequently met interested researchers and journalists |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.bangaloreindianano.in |
| Description | School Entry Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The talk was part of an Imperial College Open Day and was designed the show the breadth of research activity in a Chemistry Department is much greater than 'traditional' chemistry Pupils and parents asked about interdisciplinary teaching in Chemistry degrees |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Sensors in the Environment Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Talk generated a lot of interest in the audience After the talk there was discussions on using aptamers in environmental analysis in other areas with other analyses. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |