Air-seq: A method for early detection of any biological threats
Lead Research Organisation:
Earlham Institute
Department Name: Research Faculty
Abstract
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Organisations
| Description | We discovered commercial interest in Air-seq, with market research highlighting several possible areas and the approximate price points for each of the areas. Based on this we have a clear progression for the technology from least price sensitive e.g. military/homeland security counter bioterrorism to the most e.g. agricultural surveillance. As the technology matures and the price decreases, we expect it to become more widespread among the most price sensitive areas. |
| Exploitation Route | The results suggest a clear pathway to commercialization, but that large sections of the market are very price sensitive and can not be accessed unless or until the costs decrease. Much of the costs are for reagents from Oxford Nanopore Technologies patented devices and methods or a competitor e.g. semiconductor sequencing from Genia/Roche. We are limited by their progress in decreasing price. Currently ONT is moving to larger devices (GridION and PromethION) with lower costs per base of sequence, these are not suitable for our in field application - but they have released small cheaper flowcells (flongels) for the MinION, and ONT have described plans for a much smaller, cheaper version of their technology called the SmidgION which can be plugged into and operated from a smartphone. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Environment |
| Description | We are currently working with Kromek PLC (based in Sedgefield, Co Durham, UK) to develop a new air sequencing platform for US homeland security. This work is funded by DARPA, and puts us in close contact with multiple USA agencies were we are able to influence policy as well as DSTL and Home Office in the UK. When COVID struct the UK in 2020 we were well placed to develop Air-seq methods to detect this new virus, and possible subsequent new viruses. We are also investigating using this technology in the Natural History Museum to identify biological threats to our collection e.g. molds, and arthropods that consume the samples in the collection. This could be widely used across cultural heritage sites. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Environment,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Security and Diplomacy |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | DNA sequencing for biological threat monitoring |
| Amount | $5,270,000 (USD) |
| Funding ID | HR001119C0031 |
| Organisation | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 12/2018 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | DNA sequencing for biological threat monitoring |
| Amount | $5,270,000 (USD) |
| Funding ID | HR001119C0031 |
| Organisation | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 12/2018 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Title | Air-seq IP |
| Description | Methods for DNA extraction, sequencing and analysis of aerosol samples. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Protection not required |
| Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | As part of the DARPA funding (see funding), we are licensing our Air-seq technology to Kromek to build devices for biological threat monitoring. |
| Description | Metagenomics teaching at EBI |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation at EBI Metagenomics workshop. Talk focussed on technology, and especially on MinION and Air-seq. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/training/events/2016/metagenomics-bioinformatics-1 |
| Description | Presentation "DNA Sequencing for Biological Threat Monitoring" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at DARPA headquarters in Arlington Virginia, USA, at the "SIGMA+ Sensor Kickoff Meeting" I had an audience of ~100 US, UK and Israeli stakeholders from government agencies (including military and homeland security) and companies that develop and supply technology to US military. This talk raised a lot of interest and questions about the capabilities of the new (potentially disruptive) technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Sensing crop diseases in the field, Stalham farmers club (Norfolk Mead Hotel, Coltishall) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to members of the Stalham Farmers Club (the oldest in the UK) composing farmers, agronomists, general public and some local media. Spoke predominantly on Air-seq, received feedback and offers of in kind help e.g. sites to sample. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |