User-friendly and robust paper-based device for in-field diagnostic of infectious diseases
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Engineering
Abstract
EPSRC : Giulia Core : EP/R513222/1
Early detection of infectious diseases requires rapid, portable and highly sensitive molecular diagnostic platforms. The project, to be carried out during the Globalink placement at McMaster University in Canada, aims at creating a point-of-care (POC) device that simplifies the efforts in monitoring and eliminating infectious diseases in communities. Low-cost, paper-based devices based on microfluidics have been developed but none currently meet the "ASSURED" criteria for effective POC testing provided by World Health Organisation (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free and Deliverable to end-users). Even if current tests can detect very low concentrations of infectious organisms, their limited robustness restricts their practical use in clinics and in communities, due to the degradation of essential reagents (such as enzymes) in challenging field conditions, outside of the laboratory environment. In this project, we will develop new enzyme-free detection methods and integrate them onto paper substrates to deliver "ASSURED" devices.
Early detection of infectious diseases requires rapid, portable and highly sensitive molecular diagnostic platforms. The project, to be carried out during the Globalink placement at McMaster University in Canada, aims at creating a point-of-care (POC) device that simplifies the efforts in monitoring and eliminating infectious diseases in communities. Low-cost, paper-based devices based on microfluidics have been developed but none currently meet the "ASSURED" criteria for effective POC testing provided by World Health Organisation (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free and Deliverable to end-users). Even if current tests can detect very low concentrations of infectious organisms, their limited robustness restricts their practical use in clinics and in communities, due to the degradation of essential reagents (such as enzymes) in challenging field conditions, outside of the laboratory environment. In this project, we will develop new enzyme-free detection methods and integrate them onto paper substrates to deliver "ASSURED" devices.
| Description | McMaster_Yifu |
| Organisation | McMaster University |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration centres around the visit of a PhD student from Glasgow to McMaster University. Glasgow's team brought know-how and technologies on the preparation of biological samples for nucleic-acid based detection of pathogens in simple and robust formats. |
| Collaborator Contribution | McMaster University researchers have developed innovative molecular constructs to enhance the speed and accuracy of the detection of nucleic acids. |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2020 |