A smart, multi-purpose technology for diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Buchan E
(2025)
Advanced biomolecular spectroscopic profiling of cardiovascular disease macromolecular markers: SIL-6, IL-9, LpA, ApoB, PCSK9 and NT-ProBNP for rapid in-situ detection and monitoring.
in International journal of biological macromolecules
Buchan E
(2023)
Review-Vibrational spectroscopy-aided diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
in Clinical and Translational Discovery
Buchan E
(2023)
Raman spectroscopic molecular fingerprinting of biomarkers for inflammatory bowel disease
in Clinical and Translational Medicine
Chu HO
(2024)
Development and application of an optimised Bayesian shrinkage prior for spectroscopic biomedical diagnostics.
in Computer methods and programs in biomedicine
Gomes PC
(2024)
Advanced Tuneable Micronanoplatforms for Sensitive and Selective Multiplexed Spectroscopic Sensing via Electro-Hydrodynamic Surface Molecular Lithography.
in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Stokes K
(2024)
Unveiling the Sorption Properties of Graphene Oxide-M13 Bacteriophage Aerogels for Advanced Sensing and Environmental Applications
in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Stokes K
(2023)
Advances in lithographic techniques for precision nanostructure fabrication in biomedical applications.
in Discover nano
Stokes K
(2024)
Thermonanomechanics of graphene oxide-M13 bacteriophage nanocomposites -towards graphene-based nanodevices
in Carbon Trends
Stokes K
(2024)
Conductivity optimisation of graphene oxide-M13 bacteriophage nanocomposites: towards graphene-based gas micronano-sensors.
in Discover nano
| Description | Our vision is to establish a smart multi-purpose exosome technology platform that radically advances personalised medicine across diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery. In 30 years' time this technology platform will be widely used in healthcare to diagnose and treat disease with high fidelity using bespoke formulations. In order to advance this vision, phase 1 development studies have been addressing engineering challenges across three inter-connected themes on bioprocess strategies and sensor innovations for generating and detecting exosomes at different orders of sensitivity, examining feasibility ahead of phase 2. So far we have been advancing the creation of a biosensor platform that detects exosome analytes from ATMP cell cultures with high specificity and sensitivity. Baseline mesenchymal stem cell cultures were established in 100mL bioreactors on polystyrene microcarriers. Exosomes were harvested from culture media throughout the culture at the point of media exchange by removing 50% of the culture media and replenishing with fresh media. We used monoclonal antibodies to selectively pull out the target exosomes and spectroscopically detect changes in signal. Raman spectroscopy and microscopy imaging for single exosomes was used to concurrently characterize and monitor physical and chemical properties of exosomes. Bioprocess studies undertaken produced exosomes from human mesenchymal stem cells at pilot scale using scalable bioreactor technologies that are amenable to tech transfer into a GMP facility. |
| Exploitation Route | Phase 1 development studies revealed insights that have allowed us to revise our approach and team in phase 2, to leverage state of the art approaches to bioprocessing and sensor innovations for generating and detecting exosomes at different orders of sensitivity. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Healthcare |
| Description | Collaboration with Neuro-clinical leads at QEHB |
| Organisation | Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity (QEHB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | To ensure that we target this new technology at the most important medical need, we established collaboration with clinicians at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) who are now widely consulted with regular contact during the project. By these means we are exploring how the design of the various technology components can be optimised and tailored to deliver the greatest benefit to the widest range of patients. Enlisted clinician(s) are inputting into the design, development and translation of the technology, guiding the work and facilitate ethical approvals and engagement with patient groups (PPIE), from representative cohorts. |
| Collaborator Contribution | -Input into the design, development and translation of the proposed technology. -Facilitating engagement with patient and public involvement groups (PPIE), from representative cohorts at all stages of development. -Coordinating the availability of the human bio-samples of patients with confirmed TBI from the QEHB and Human Tissue Biorepository for the initial clinical assessment of the proposed technology - Expediting and coordinating ethical approvals as well as providing input to the clinical overview and patient context of the study. |
| Impact | This is a multi-disciplinary collaboration including clinicians from neurosurgery, ophthalmology and neurosciences. Outputs to date include: Exploration of how the design of the various technology components can be optimised and tailored to deliver the greatest benefit to the widest range of patients. Engagement with PPIE group and a workshop with trauma patients and carers / family with lived experience of neurological trauma, who highlighted the need of new devices, such as the one we are developing, with particular focus on rapid diagnosis to assist triage for the patient and the NHS benefits, particularly valuing the portability, enabling pre-hospital diagnosis without a scan. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | BBS Award Lecture/Biophysics Week Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBS Award Lecture/Biophysics Week Webinar, 21st March 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Contribution to widening participation and schools outreach for better understanding of the discipline |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The team has been actively given talks on research and science and careers for school pupils. We have taken an active part in interactive events as part of STEM engagement activities at school demonstrations, assemblies, and career days. Pupils on individual level and organizers reported great interest, increased TBI awareness and the overall activities encouraged the next generation to study science and Engineering. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | MacRobert Award Panel |
| 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 | This panel discussion included former winners of the prestigious MacRobert Award for UK engineering innovation, looking at how we can create a hospitable environment for engineering and what some of the next revolutionary developments might be. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | SPIE Optics and Photonics 2022, San Diego |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Plasmonics: Design, Materials, Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications XX, part of SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, https://spie.org/OP103. Audience reported interest in this subject. PDRA won third place poster prize. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |