Country: England
What infection type does your test focus on? all infection types where there is a sufficiently large microbiological presence.
What does your test detect? Pathogen(s)
About the Team:
We are developing materials which feature stimulus responsive polymers that respond to pathogens and can provide rapid point of care diagnosis.
These materials bind to pathogens and then change their molecular shape and properties; before binding the polymer associated with water that is lost after binding. This makes detection extremely rapid. Current gold standard tests for identification of bacteria take 24 to 48 hours, but our materials can do this in less than 30 minutes and do not require laboratory equipment – so it can be used in the field for ‘front line point of care’.
Professor Stephen Rimmer is the Head of the School of Biology and Chemistry at the University of Bradford. His team, the ’Polymer and Biomaterials Laboratory’, have spent nine years studying the interactions between synthetic polymer materials and biological systems. His team are working on testing biological sensors and medical devices for the UK and international market, with particular links with Indian clinicians. Recently his close collaboration with Dr Thomas Swift (lecturer in Polymer Chemistry) has produced a bacteria / fungi binding sensor that could be used to give clinicians warning about bacterial infections within half an hour. Positive identification of infections could be used to prevent further spread of diseases, and earlier accurate clinical diagnosis could help prevent doctors administering unnecessary antibiotics.
Twitter: @polybiomat
