About the project
This project aims to develop next generation point of care diagnostic technologies capable of rapidly measuring panels of host response biomarkers to predict infection severity and guide treatment decisions.
Predicting how severely an infection will progress is a global health grand challenge and major target for diagnostics innovation. In conflict zones, humanitarian deployments, and resource limited global healthcare this challenge becomes more acute due to restricted access to diagnostic laboratories, combined with a broader range of high risk infections.
New rapid pathogen detection tests (e.g., malaria, COVID 19, and syndromic panels) have transformed pathogen detection, yet our ability to measure panels of host response biomarkers remains limited. Emerging biomarker datasets have identified promising candidates with greater specificity and predictive power than CRP, MxA or procalcitonin, offering a new opportunities to support early triage and improve clinical decision making, if these markers can be effectively measured outside labs.
This project will exploit lab-in-fibre microfluidics to create miniaturised assay environments in which small sample volumes can be manipulated, exposed to functional surfaces, and interrogated optically within a single compact optical fibre platform. By combining multiplexed biomarker capture with advanced optical readout and data driven analysis, the technology will enable rapid, portable, and information rich host response testing for use outside conventional laboratory settings.
You'll develop skills in three major areas:
- engineering novel devices that make use of the latest developments in optoelectronics will give you expertise in optical fibre engineering
- hands-on bioassay development will offer valuable insight into diagnostic testing and measurement science
- driving innovation through understanding how technology can be used to tackle important clinical problems, and bridging healthcare technology to defence, will give you deep cross-disciplinary and research translation understanding
