Development of magnetometer immunoassay (MIA) technology to improve screening accuracy and on-farm user friendliness together with sequencing and resi

This 24 month project will enhance the magneto-immunoassay technology that Clarity Biosolutions Ltd (CBL) is currently developing under TSB Project no. 101466 to produce a portable, cost effective serology testing system for animal diseases. The enhancements will include: 1) adaptation of the system for saliva sampling; 2) communication of results to an integrated database as a step towards a comprehensive UK disease surveillance programme in the future 3) an accredited sequencing service at The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) to genetically characterise positive samples found at the farm using CBL's screening system. This project has the potential to change the way the UK and international farming and food industry monitors disease threats, by establishing a joined-up diagnostic and genetic characterisation service that would improve both the quality and coverage of disease surveillance, addressing key government and industry objectives and problems. Four partners will participate with CBL: Tulip Ltd., Sarum Hydraulics Ltd., University of the West of England and The Genomics Analysis Centre.

This 24 month project will enhance the magneto-immunoassay technology that Clarity Biosolutions Ltd (CBL) is currently developing under TSB Project no. 101466 to produce a portable, cost effective serology testing system for animal diseases. The enhancements will include: 1) adaptation of the system for saliva sampling; 2) communication of results to an integrated database as a step towards a comprehensive UK disease surveillance programme in the future 3) an accredited sequencing service at The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) to genetically characterise positive samples found at the farm using CBL's screening system. This project has the potential to change the way the UK and international farming and food industry monitors disease threats, by establishing a joined-up diagnostic and genetic characterisation service that would improve both the quality and coverage of disease surveillance, addressing key government and industry objectives and problems. Four partners will participate with CBL: Tulip Ltd., Sarum Hydraulics Ltd., University of the West of England and The Genomics Analysis Centre.

The project is focused on addressing a number of impact objectives.
1. Market: The Magnetometer Immunoassay (MIA) technology developed by the University of the West of England (UWE) promises to be a disruptive diagnostic platform in a broad range of market segments. At the end of the project a robust, cost-effective, flexible and portable platform for testing a range of oral diagnostics will be brought to the market by Clarity Biosolutions Ltd (CBL) or a licensee.
2. Society: The outcomes of this project will have significant impact on health and wellbeing by providing a cost-effective, portable platform for testing for animal disease that will increase monitoring and consequently reduce cases of animal illnesses.
3. Economic: In the short term there will be economic benefits in terms of growth of CBL and investment in new employees. In addition, the economic benefit may be extremely wide as a result of the reduction of infectious disease in the farming industry.
4. Commercial: A significant by-product of this project will be wider commercial impact through the development and commercialization of a technology for measurement of salivary antibodies and other products based on the MIA platform technology.
5. Research and Technological: The project will target the development of new assay systems for the Magnetometer Immunoassay (MIA) technology. This will help to enhance UK's importance in the field of bio-sensing systems. Importantly, it will provide a high-impact demonstration of the technology.