About the project
This project will develop a new approach that simplifies quantitation of blood biomarkers. We will exploit the latest developments in DNA sequencing and antibody-DNA conjugation chemistry, to make it possible to simultaneously measure panels of biomarkers. This cutting-edge technology will be developed into affordable new clinical diagnostic tests.
Clinical diagnostic testing continues to grow, but we still lack accessible test technology, especially for measuring panels of important biomarkers found in blood.
This project will develop a new approach that makes quantitation of blood biomarkers accessible and affordable. We will exploit recent developments in DNA sequencing plus antibody-DNA conjugation chemistry, to allow simultaneous measurement of panels of biomarkers. This allows us to translate current research tools – oligo-linked immunoassays – that are excellent for discovering new biomarkers – into clinically useful tests. Cutting edge bioassay miniaturisation will be exploited; but low-cost lateral flow rapid test components will also be considered, to ensure we deliver a test format that is practical, manufacturable and affordable for large-scale diagnostic testing.
Global use has driven down lateral flow immunoassay cost, being fast to develop and mass-manufacture. The covid-19 pandemic brought these rapid tests into our homes. But several technical drawbacks, such as limited quantitation and analytical sensitivity, make them unsuitable for many vital clinical applications. The C-reactive protein (CRP) testing market is worth billions of dollars worldwide, showing how common routine inflammation testing has become. However, CRP levels can rise for various reasons, and the absence of affordable technology to measure multiple health markers limits our ability to assess other specific inflammatory indicators alongside CRP. Our team recently used oligo-linked antibody technology –combining DNA sequencing with oligo-linked antibodies – to discover new tuberculosis infection biomarkers.
This project can deliver real-world benefits from these recent discoveries, by combining DNA sequencing with antibody assays alongside advanced biomedical engineering, to deliver clinically useful technology.
You will learn the latest techniques for quantitative bioassay development using combinations of DNA and antibody methods, whilst developing a deep understanding of diagnostic technology. Although this is a new project with a novel approach to multiplex immunoassay measurements, you will learn from the multidisciplinary and cross-faculty supervisor team that brings together relevant experience across clinical infection, through miniaturised immunoassay technology and DNA method development, to diagnostic commercialisation.
Alongside laboratory technology development, you will pinpoint the essential requirements for making a difference in real-world healthcare settings. This will include consideration of public health needs both in the UK, and globally, that will help to shape the project direction. Tests for inflammation, such as CRP, are already a multi-billion dollar global market, illustrating the frequency and commercial potential of routine testing. As well as targeting unmet clinical need, you will explore the innovation context and learn about commercialisation of novel diagnostic technology.
This project is suited to students from a broad range of backgrounds, who will gain multidisciplinary skills. For example, a bioscience graduate will learn biomedical engineering skills, and conversely an engineering graduate will learn clinical and biomedical science.
