Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Grantees
Through Grand Challenges Canada and the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative of the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 22 new proposals for Point-of-Care Diagnostics that are easy to use, low cost, multiplexed, and able to assess disease stage and provide information on prognosis have been awarded funding.
Click HERE for the full News Release.
Click on the ‘video’ link below to watch a short video about the project.
Grand Challenges Canada:
Achilles Katamba (Makerere University)
Decision-making tool to rationalize placement of multi-Pathogen Point-of-Care Diagnostics in East Africa
Achilles Katamba and investigators from Makerere University, Northwestern University, the Indian School of Business and the University of Chicago are pioneering a novel methodological approach to inform the design of point-of-care diagnostic platforms and create a decision support tool to enable implementation of these platforms once they become available…video
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B. Chandrasekhar Nair (Bigtec Labs Pvt. ltd.)
Sample preparation platform for point-of-care diagnostic devices
The project aims to create a low-cost, reliable, automated sample preparation system that can be interfaced with nucleic acid detection techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Loop-Mediated Isothermal PCR (LAMP), thus enabling molecular diagnosis at the point-of-care. The technique involves the creation of a device to extract pathogenic DNA/RNA from biological samples such as blood, sputum, urine, and nasal/throat swabs…video
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David Goldfarb (University of Botswana)
Optimization and evaluation of flocked swab transport systems for the identification of enteric pathogens
The best diagnostic tests are useless without properly collected specimens. The objective of this Botswana-based collaboration led by Dr. David Goldfarb is to design and evaluate a user-friendly flocked swab specimen collection system for the identification of enteric infections. This could have immediate impact in much of the world were diarrheal disease remains deadly and for the large part undiagnosed…video
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Dhananjaya Dendukuri (Achira Labs Pvt. Ltd.)
Fabric Chips: A versatile platform for low-cost, rapid and multiplexed diagnostics
Dhananjaya Dendukuri and colleagues at Achira Labs are developing weaving as a platform for the manufacture of Fabchips (Fabric chips) that can be used to perform low-cost, rapid and multiplexed diagnostic tests. Textile weaving is a mature process that can help make reagent-functionalized chips in a convenient, affordable and scalable manner…video
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Jonathan Blackburn (University of Cape Town)
Development of a hand-held, DNA aptamer-based Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering biosensor for direct identification and quantitation of biomarkers and pathogens in complex biological samples at point-of-care
Using tuberculosis as a model disease, Jonathan Blackburn and colleagues aim to develop a low-cost, hand-held biosensor that combines the selectivity of antigen-specific DNA aptamers with the exceptional specificity of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy in order to reliably quantify pathogen biomarkers present in patient specimens at the point-of-care…video
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Nguyen Van Kinh and Nguyen Vu Trung (National Hospital for Tropical Diseases)
Sample collection and processing for multiplexed blood-based point-of-care analysis
This project is to develop the patient-to-chip microfluidics component for the collection and processing of whole blood into plasma and cells for downstream testing. The research is based at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Vietnam, a low-income country, and will target highly prevalent tropical diseases…video
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Patricia Garcia (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia)
Brighter Futures-Narrowing the implementation gap of POC diagnostics
We aim to understand the needs for point-of-care diagnostic tests for antenatal and child care in developing countries and to develop and test a model for enhancing rapid and sustainable uptake of these tests using social and business innovation, which could have a significant impact on maternal and child health globally…video
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Pradeep Das (Rajendra memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, India)
Implementation research for point of care diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in India
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected infectious disease of poverty in Bihar India. Many people die from this disease because they do not receive the available diagnosis and treatment. This project will determine how to ensure that people receive the necessary point-of-care diagnosis needed to receive treatment and save lives…video
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Qimin You (Ustar Biotechnologies (Hangzhou) Ltd.)
Development of a rapid, inexpensive, equipment-free nucleic acid extraction system & a high sensitivity isothermal amplification platform for detection of multiple pathogens
The wide-spread use of DNA diagnostics at the point-of-care is limited by the ability to prepare pure DNA from a variety of clinical sample types, and by the need for specialized instrumentation and highly trained personnel to carry out testing. This project aims to develop affordable, rapid, and simple nucleic acid extraction devices and an affordable, rapid and simple isothermal nucleic acid amplification assay that can be performed at the village level by minimally trained personnel…video
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Wendy Stevens (The National Health Laboratory Service and the University of the Witwatersrand)
Feasibility of multi-disciplinary POCT in an HIV treatment clinic and determine impact on patient outcome
This multi-disciplinary team will assess the safety, cost effectiveness and impact on clinical outcome of implementing point-of care testing for HIV and tuberculosis in several different clinical settings in South Africa. The aim is to create a sustainable vehicle for future point-of-care evaluation and expansion and to provide sufficient information to inform national policy decisions, bearing in mind the need for equity, affordability and accessibility…video
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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grantees:
Andrew Ellington (The University of Texas at Austin)
Enzyme-Free DNA Circuits for Signal Amplification and Diagnostic Assays
Andrew Ellington of the University of Texas at Austin in the U.S. proposes to improve enzyme-free DNA circuits by engineering circuit sensitivity and selectivity, ultimately creating multi-layered circuits that greatly amplify signal inputs. These robust amplifiers could be modularly introduced into a variety of point-of-care diagnostics.
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Axel Scherer (California Institute of Technology)
PCR Sample Preparation Simplified for Developing World Point-of-Care Diagnostics & Quantitative PCR Reconceived for Developing World Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Axel Scherer of the California Institute of Technology in the U.S., along with collaborators at Dartmouth, will develop a prototype quantitative PCR (qPCR) amplification/detection component module that can rapidly detect a wide range of pathogens with low cost, low internal and outward complexity, low power consumption, a small size, and a rugged design.
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Besik Kankia (Ohio State University)
Quadruplex-based Technology for Isothermal DNA Amplification and Non-enzymatic Detection
Besik Kankia of the Ohio State University in the U.S. proposes to develop isothermal amplification of nucleic acids using a simple fluorescence detection method. If successful, the fluorescence signal will be detected by a portable fluorimeter or by eye after excitation with an appropriate light source.
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Dan Luo (Cornell University)
Self-amplifying DNA Polymers for POC Diagnosis Through a Portable CMOS Sensor
Dan Luo of Cornell University in the U.S. proposes a “self-amplifying-DNA-polymer” system in which monomers bind to specific pathogen biomarkers and then create polymer aggregates when exposed to light. This amplification step, to be used as a component for future diagnostic devices, is totally enzyme-free and only occurs in the presence of specific pathogens.
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David Beebe (University of Wisconsin)
Microfluidic Immiscible Phase Barrier: Simplified Sample Preparation for POC Diagnostics in the Developing World
David Beebe and researchers at the University of Wisconsin in the U.S. propose to develop a “universal” sample purification platform that readily adapts to various upstream collection components and utilizes an immiscible phase (e.g. oil, wax) barrier to produce a “clean” sample for output to downstream amplification and detection components.
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Donald Chickering (Seventh Sense Biosystems)
A Universal One-Step Device to Safely and Painlessly Collect Blood
Donald Chickering and a team at Seventh Sense Biosystems in the U.S. are developing its Touch Activated Phlebotomy™ (TAP) platform to enable one-step blood collection in a safe, painless, and convenient manner. The device uses an integrated system of microneedles and vacuum capture of a blood sample for downstream analysis. TAP has the potential to expand access to diagnostic testing into underserved and hard-to-sample populations, while also improving safety and ease of collection.
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James Heath (California Institute of Technology)
Protein Capture Agents With 40 °C Shelf Life for Developing World POC HIV-1 Diagnostics
James Heath of the California Institute of Technology in the U.S. will work to develop protein catalyzed capture agents (PCC Agents) – synthetically-created peptides that may act as drop-in replacements for antibodies in diagnostic assays. These agents, designed to be stable up to 40oC for extended periods, aim to be as sensitive as antibodies, but due to their chemical structure, more easily transported, stored, and used in various diagnostic platforms in developing world settings.
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Luke Lee (Regents of the University of California at Berkeley)
Integrated Microfluidic Universal Sample Preparation and Pre-concentration (USP) Module for Parallel Diagnostics of Infectious Diseases (HIV, TB and Malaria)
Luke Lee of the University of California at Berkeley in the U.S. proposes to develop a microfluidic sample preparation module using electrical and physical methods that will be compatible with different sample inputs and downstream analytical techniques to provide both plasma and cellular biomarkers for the parallel diagnoses of infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. The device will not require external reagents, will have low power consumption, and can be operated on-site with minimal training.
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Rebecca Richards-Kortum (Rice University)
Low-cost, High-sensitivity, Reconfigurable Optical Sensing Components for POC Diagnostics
Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Tomasz Tkaczyk of Rice University in the U.S. propose to develop a plug-and-sense readout and signal transduction (ROST) component for point-of-care devices that will be palm-sized, producible for under $10, and with new interrogation units can be rearranged within the universal fixture to accommodate new sample platforms.
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Rick Haselton (Vanderbilt University)
Low Resource Extraction and Processing of Biological Samples Using Surface Tension Valves
Rick Haselton, David Wright and Ray Mernaugh of Vanderbilt University in the U.S. propose to develop a sample processing technology that uses the surface tension between fluids as valves to separate, concentrate, and purify pathogen biomarkers. The proposed device aims to improve on existing biomarker extraction technologies in cost, simplicity, and speed.
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Robert Cary (Mesa Tech International, Inc.)
A Disposable Sub-system for Nucleic Acid Sample Preparation Without Instrumentation or User Intervention
Robert (Bruce) Cary of Mesa Tech International, Inc. in the U.S. proposes to develop nucleic acid purification systems that use a novel configuration of lateral flow materials to bind and wash nucleic acids to yield amplification-ready samples. These devices could provide purified samples from clinical specimens within minutes without user intervention, instrumentation, electricity or costly materials.
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Ross Durland (AM Biotechnologies, LLC)
Ambient Stable X-aptamer Affinity Agents
Ross Durland and colleagues at AM Biotechnologies, LLC in the U.S. propose to develop X-aptamers for detecting and quantifying protein biomarkers for neglected diseases. X-aptamers are modified nucleic acids that tightly bind to specific targets and remain stable at high temperature and humidity. AM Biotech will enhance its process for rapidly identifying X-aptamers that will be integrated into a point-of-care platform for diagnosing many diseases.
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