GW4 BioMed MRC DTP PhD 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 is offering up to 19 studentships for entry in September/October 2018.

The DTP 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.

Supervisory team for this project:
Dr Pedro Estrela (Bath), Dr Jenna Bowen (Cardiff) and Dr Benjamin Metcalfe (Bath)

Project description:

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.

Key tasks include:
1. Selection of panel of biomarkers for which DNA/RNA aptamers exist. This will be carried out in collaboration with PhD students and clinical end-users already engaged with the Cardiff university team.
2. Optimisation of DNA aptamer immobilisation and molecular imprinting protocols for maximum binding efficiency, signal and specificity.
3. Validate results with Surface Plasmon Resonance and Quartz Crystal Microbalance techniques in order to determine binding performance characteristics (e.g. affinity and capacity factors).
4. Exploration of signal amplification techniques e.g. redox intercalators, gold nanoparticles and charged molecules to further enhance the sensitivity of the system.
5. Development an array of sensors with external multiplexer and flow cell.
6. Correlation of the signals from the different biomarkers in the array for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis.
7. Validation of the final device against gold-standard ELISA-based assays.

The successful 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, he/she 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 should apply using the DTP’s online application form. More information on the application process may be found here: http://www.gw4biomed.ac.uk/projects-2/for-students/

APPLICATIONS OPEN ON 25 SEPTEMBER AND CLOSE AT 17:00 ON 24 NOVEMBER 2017.

You do NOT need to apply to the University of Bath at this stage – only those applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer of funding from the DTP will be required to submit an application to study at Bath.