Development of a low-cost, easy to use, lab-on-a-chip technology to detect Cryptosporidium Pavum and other water borne parasites
Supervisors:
Damion Corrigan, Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde
Paul Bartley, Moredun Research Institute
Glenn Burley, Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde
Frank Katzer, Moredun Research Institute
Melanie Jimenez, Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde
Summary:
Waterborne parasites and in particular Cryptosporidium species are responsible for a significant disease burden in livestock and humans. Monitoring background levels of Cryptosporidium and predicting/responding to outbreaks is a major concern for the water industry. At present, a significant amount of labour and budgetary resources are dedicated to Cryptosporidium surveillance. The methods employed to detect and monitor this organism are well established but as mentioned are highly manual, inefficient and costly. Lab-on-a-chip technologies have the advantage of being low-cost, potentially easy to use and with current advances in detection science more sensitive or specific than established methods.
This project involves the development of nucleic acid amplification assays such as PCR to detect specific gene sequences from Cryptosporidium parvum and then transfer of the assay to a low-cost biosensor technology. As well as developing the genetic amplification assay, the student will develop the low-cost biosensor element along with a fluidic cartridge to receive and process the sample. Finally, the student will implement a new and exciting approach to surface functionalization of a biosensor surface, which opens the potential for mass manufacture and reuse. All these developments will finally be fused into a final prototype device which will be tested with relevant samples in a range of matrices to assess the sensitivity, specificity and time to result associated with the newly developed, fully integrated system.