About the Project
The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting, multidisciplinary 3.5-year PhD project entitled ‘New engineering solutions to detect Schistosomiasis in the environment in low-resource settings’, working across the Divisions of Biomedical Engineering and Infrastructure and Environment together with the Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine and the Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology.
Background. Human schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting more than 250 million people worldwide with over 90% of cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosomiasis causes severe morbidity in adults, but disproportionately affects children and young adults resulting in physical and cognitive impairment. The World Health Organisation’s current recommended control strategy for schistosomiasis is annual mass drug administration. However, drugs are not 100% effective and rapid re-infection through contact with water contaminated by human excreta or urine is commonplace. Thus, to effectively reduce or eliminate transmission of the disease, a holistic approach is required. Transmission of the disease between humans may be prevented by implementing an effective barrier such as provision, and use of, improved water, sanitation and hygiene facilities (WASH). There is a recent increased global momentum surrounding WASH and neglected tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis. However, as WASH research and interventions progress there is a growing need to be able to monitor their success. This is currently limited due to the difficulties associated with detecting the parasite within complex environmental samples in the field.
Project. Current pathogen detection systems either require substantial equipment, which is incompatible with low-resource settings, or are not sensitive enough to detect the low density of pathogens causing transmission. We have developed a platform based on the folding of paper matrices, akin to ‘origami’, to integrate molecular biology processing steps (DNA extraction, amplification, detection) into a single low-cost device. This platform was validated on clinical samples for the detection of Malaria in Uganda, including speciation (www.gla.ac.uk/research/beacons/futurelife/diagnostics/). In other field studies, we have adapted these methods and demonstrated the generic potential of these multiplexed ‘sample-to-answer’ origami DNA tests for infections caused by a wide range of microbes.
Our paper-based format makes it possible to concentrate very low levels of pathogens in order to detect them in small samples, and combine filtering and testing into simple platforms which has the potential to be widely deployed to identify Shistosomiasis with high sensitivity and specificity in environmental samples.
The project will involve the engineering development of this new functionality into the current platform, together with the design of the detection system and links with new treatment and prevention engineering solutions. These new devices will be fully characterised in laboratory conditions before iterative trials in the field in Africa (e.g. Uganda).
Candidate: The work is cross-disciplinary and we are equally interested in motivated microbiologists, engineers, parasitologists or physical scientists. The student, regardless of background, will learn advanced manufacturing methods and will train in analytical sciences. There will be many opportunities to interact with parasitologists.
For an informal discussion or for further information on this project, potential applicants are encouraged to contact:
Professor Jon Cooper, Primary supervisor ([Email Address Removed]):DNA-based origami diagnostic
Dr. Julien Reboud ( [Email Address Removed]): DNA-based origami diagnostic
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