GW4 BioMed MRC DTP Studentship: Development of a multiplex sensing platform for accurate and rapid diagnosis of sepsis

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the ‘GW4 BioMed MRC Doctoral Training Partnership’ which brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities. The training programme has three strands: research skills; professional and career development skills; and opportunities to broaden horizons, which might include placements, research visits, public engagement internships and a mini-MD programme of bespoke clinical exposure.

Start date: 2 October 2017.

Supervisory team for this project:
Dr Pedro Estrela (Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Bath)
Dr Jenna Bowen (School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University)
Dr Benjamin Metcalfe (Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Bath)


Project summary:

Sepsis kills one person every few seconds. Clinical symptoms and current laboratory diagnostics do not allow definitive early diagnosis. This collaborative project aims to address this shortcoming through the development of a novel sensing platform, capable of detecting both pathogen associated and host immune markers of sepsis at point-of-care.


Project details:

Sepsis is “a life threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs”. Striking with equal ferocity in both the developed and developing worlds, sepsis kills one person very few seconds. Unfortunately, clinical symptoms, such as raised temperature, increased pulse or breathing rate, and current laboratory diagnostics, such as white blood cell count or bacterial culture are relatively non-specific and lack the sensitivity necessary for a definitive early diagnosis. There is a critical and unmet clinical need to develop diagnostic technologies capable of rapidly and accurately diagnosing sepsis. For every hour delay in diagnosis, the risk of death increases by 6-10%.

The Bath and Cardiff teams have jointly developed novel approaches for the electrochemical detection of biomarkers using hybrid molecularly imprinted DNA aptamers. The sensors can be measured with an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique or by the use of field-effect transistors – both techniques provided excellent sensitivity and selectivity for a protein cancer biomarker. Critically, both techniques can be easily integrated into a low-cost, small-footprint biosensing platform making them ideal candidates for point-of-need applications. This project will focus on the development of a multiplex sensing platform, capable of detecting both pathogen associated and host immune markers of sepsis.


The student will acquire a range of skills from different disciplines: biosensor development, surface & polymer chemistry, bioassay design, microfluidics, electronic integration, as well as clinical insight. Although the student will be based at Bath, they will spend extended research and training periods in Cardiff. This interdisciplinary training will be critical not only for the development of a clinically relevant sensor but also to provide the student with a unique set of skills enabling them to tackle challenges in the field of medical diagnostics.


IMPORTANT: In order to apply for this project, you will need to complete BOTH an application to the GW4 BioMed MRC DTP for an ‘offer of funding’ AND to the University of Bath for an ‘offer to study’ (please select "PhD programme in Electronic & Electrical Engineering (full-time)"). Please quote the full project title in your application to the University of Bath.

The Research Theme Panels of the DTP will complete the selection for interviews and shortlisted applicants will be informed on 26 June 2017. Interviews will take place on 30 June 2017.

For more information on how to apply and eligibility criteria, please see http://www.gw4biomed.ac.uk/available-projects/national-productivity-investment-fund-studentships/

Project code: MRC17IIRBa Estrela