BioBac
Building affordable technologies that can accurately detect the cause of infections at the point of care.
OBJECTIVE
Several studies have shown that viral infections are often mistakenly treated with antibiotics, resulting in unnecessary exposure to these drugs, and thus, increasing the risk of AMR emergence. Affordable technologies able to accurately identify the etiology of infections at the point of care are urgently needed.
DESCRIPTION
This project aims to research a novel panel of biomarkers for their implementation into affordable point-of-care tests. In the first phase, we will identify new biomarkers that differentiate viral from bacterial respiratory tract infections. In the next phase, a prototype assay using LUMC’s lateral flow hardware will be developed that allows for affordable and easy measurement of these biomarkers. For the first phase, we will use a novel highly multiplexed proteomics platform, SomaScan. This platform is unmatched in the number of proteins that can simultaneously be detected, its dynamic range, and coefficient of variation. For the second phase, we will use the Up-converting phosphor lateral flow (UCP-LF) technology developed by the LUMC. In contrast to most point-of-care (POC) tests the results generated by UCP-LF tests are quantitative, low-cost, and allow for simultaneous measurement of up to 6 biomarkers. The envisioned POC test will, 1) reduce and prevent antibiotic exposure by reducing misdiagnosis of bacterial infection, and 2) contribute to equitable health and improve the health outlook of society.
The impact of this project will lie in better individual treatment outcomes in the countries where the resulting point-of-care test will be implemented. The test is geared towards application in low to middle-income countries where studies have shown that introducing an affordable diagnostics test will greatly improve the diagnostic process as a whole. Furthermore, the expected impact in the Netherlands is substantial. At this moment most general practitioners (GPs) rely on C-reactive protein (CRP) for distinguishing between viral and bacterial etiology of respiratory tract infection. However, studies have shown that this is not a sensitive marker. Improving the diagnostic capabilities of GPs in the Netherlands and beyond will reduce inappropriate antibiotic usage and hence reduce AMR emergence, and spread of antibiotics and AMR pathogens in the environment thus preserving antimicrobials as a common good globally.
RESEARCH LEAD
PARTNERS
Leiden University Medical Center - Annemieke Geluk
CONTACT INFO
FUNDERS
Health-Holland
Topsector Life Sciences & Health
PPP Allowance
COUNTRIES
The Netherlands