Novel diagnostics for Animal African Trypanosomiasis
Supervisors:
Prof Mike Barrett MVLS, University of Glasgow
Prof Mick Urbaniak , BLS, Lancaster University
CASE PARTNER - Dr Ian Eastwood, Eluceda
Summary:
The ability to identify and detect characteristic biomarkers of diseased states underpins the development of diagnostics. Eluceda (www.eluceda.com) has developed a proprietary hand-held electrochemical detection device suitable for field use including the identification of specific pathogen biomarkers. Improved low-cost diagnostics for African trypanosomes are urgently needed and have the potential to improve economic performance, health and wellbeing in endemic areas.
African trypanosomes are parasites transmitted by the bite of infected tsetse fly and cause animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) in a range of wild and domestic animals including cattle, with some sub-species also causing disease in humans. AAT is a major source of economic hardship in endemic regions of Africa that costs $4.75 billion USD per year in lost productivity. It is well established that trypanosome infections cause alteration in the metabolic profile of their hosts. Indeed, trypanosome infection in camels known as Surra is traditionally detected by herd owners through a characteristic change in the colour and odour of their urine.
In this project you will perform metabolomic analysis to identify biomarkers of active African trypanosome infections and working with Eluceda you will develop and evaluate an electrochemical based diagnostic device. You will gain experience of advanced metabolomics cell culture, analytical methods, and data handling. Veterinary experience is not required.