Development of magnetometer immunoassay (MIA) technology to improve screening accuracy and on-farm user friendliness together with sequencing and resi
Lead Research Organisation:
University of the West of England
Department Name: Faculty of Environment and Technology
Abstract
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.
Technical Summary
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.
Planned Impact
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.
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.
Publications
Ahmad M
(2017)
Enhanced output voltage generation via ZnO nanowires (50 nm): Effect of diameter thinning on voltage enhancement
in Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids
Barnett J
(2020)
Initial trail results of a magnetic biosensor for the rapid detection of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus (PRRSV) infection
in Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research
Description | A new on-farm measurement technique for detecting salmonella in pigs from a saliva sample has been developed. The novelty and advantage of the technology lies in the unique combination of immuno-magnetic capture of paramagnetic particles (beads) with highly sensitive magnetometer instrumentation to detect and quantify antibodies captured on the beads. We have developed tests which cost 40% of the current mean commercial price per test and a instrument that can be used outside the lab at the point of use (e.g. farm). |
Exploitation Route | The findings will be used to develop a commercial system, that can support effective animal testing, providing a new product for the company and associated business growth. The detection technology has been adapted to other applications and projects to develop new healthcare technologies are progressing. The outcome of these could be new medical products. Other researchers could use elements of this approach (outside the patented invention) for developing new detection technologies. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Healthcare |
Description | The outputs from this project have had economic impact as the technology has been taken forward by Clarity Biosolutions which are preparing pre-production prototypes based on the research of this project. The company has received private investment to support this commercialisation process. The technology has been adapted for detecting Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and for development a point of care device and as a point-of-care test for urinary tract infections (UTI). The technology have been trialled in a patient study. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Midlands ICure |
Amount | £36,800 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2021 |
End | 02/2022 |
Description | Point of care PSA test |
Amount | £8,900 (GBP) |
Organisation | North Bristol NHS Trust |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 08/2020 |
Description | i4i |
Amount | £12,024,020 (GBP) |
Funding ID | II-OL-0417-10036 |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Department | NIHR Health Technology Devices |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2018 |
End | 05/2021 |
Description | Clarity Zoonoses Collaboration |
Organisation | Clarity BioSolutions |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The research team at UWE has provided the scientific underpinning development of the magnetometer device and the assay system for detection of animal diseases and zoonoses. |
Collaborator Contribution | Clarity provided input to the design of the consumable particular focusing on ensuring design is appropriate for commercial manufacture |
Impact | The outputs include a new prototype technology for detecting diseases in pigs, economic growth of the company and the scientific understanding for development of diagnostic systems for field use. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | The Genomic Analysis Centre |
Organisation | Earlham Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We provide scientific background associated with the development of magneto-immunoassays together knowledge and skills associated with development of a near-pen testing system for animal diseases |
Collaborator Contribution | This partner will employ genetic analysis to screen positive samples positive samples, identified by near-pen testing system They will use quantitative PCR in order to determine the number of virus particles in the saliva |
Impact | Project still underway and no outputs at this stage |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Tulip Ltd |
Organisation | Tulip Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Through the development of the technology, in the longer term we will provide a methodology for improve animal welfare and productivity of the farms associated with the partner company. |
Collaborator Contribution | This partner provided farms for trialing technology and connections relative to the development of the technology |
Impact | No outputs from this project yet |
Start Year | 2015 |
Title | Magnetometer instrument |
Description | Instrument for supporting diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which is able to distinguish between the 3 different bacteria that cause UTIs. The instrument is based on the magnetometer immunoassay (MIA). |
Type Of Technology | Detection Devices |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | Patient studies completed |
Description | Rapid Methods Europe |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation at workshop on innovations and breakthroughs in microbiological and biochemical analysis related to animal disease, food, feed, and water. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://www.rapidmethods.eu/index.php |
Description | SWIG working group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dissemination of findings to the Sensors in Water Special Interest Group (comprising business leaders from the water industry) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.swig.org.uk/ |