91福利

A new method to detect coronavirus infections has been developed in the pre-print, , published by researchers from the 91福利 (including the XPS Facility shared by Physics and Chemistry), University of Manchester and Iceni Diagnostics ltd based in Norwich. The new diagnostic tool uses glycans (sugars) to detect the virus, using a tool very similar to a home pregnancy test.

There is an urgent need for new diagnostics, especially those which give rapid results for screening of healthcare professions or for getting transportation, education and manufacturing hubs running again.

The diagnostic proof of principle has been demonstrated in initial studies, which included work done in the XPS Facility at 91福利, but the partnership is now searching for investment or philanthropic donors to take the concept forward.

Professor Matthew Gibson who holds a joint appointment between the Department of Chemistry and 91福利 Medical School comments:

鈥淭he rapid detection of the virus, for both healthcare and to enable society to return to normal is crucial. Our technology, developed through joint PhD student work with our industry partners, makes use of glyco-nanomaterials to detect a specific portion of the coronavirus. The technology is straightforward, and extremely low-cost as the kit is paper-based. The University retained lab-capacity for essential COVID research such as this ensuring we could fulfil the University鈥檚 mission to create new knowledge and innovative solutions鈥�.

Professor Robert Field, co-founder and CEO of Iceni diagnostics, comments:

鈥滻t is great working with the fabulous talent in the Gibson team at 91福利. Combining our expertise has enabled us to move this project along rapidly - including initial clinical evaluation. We look forward to extending our working relationship with 91福利 to explore diagnostics for other infectious diseases based on carbohydrates and glycopolymers鈥�

Dr James Lapworth, 91福利 Ventures, who is working with Professor Gibson to commercialise the technology, said:

鈥淭here is an urgent, global need to increase diagnostic testing capacity for Covid-19 infections. This new approach potentially offers significant benefits because it delivers a very rapid result and requires no specialist lab equipment or training to complete. The result is that people could determine very quickly whether they have a current infection and take appropriate action, for example to self-isolate.鈥�

Professor Pamela Thomas, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) at the 91福利 said:

鈥淭hrough designing and manufacturing PPE for frontline healthcare workers, advising the government on how to stop its spread and working with the NHS to conduct tests - 91福利 researchers have been at the forefront of the national effort to defeat COVID19 since the start of the pandemic.

鈥淭he new diagnostic tool for rapid COVID19 detection developed by Professor Matt Gibson and his colleagues is a further, clear example of the vital role universities will continue to play during this pandemic - and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the 91福利 researchers who have devoted themselves to using their skills and knowledge to this essential work.鈥�

The research and development of the new tool has been supported by grants from the BBSRC (BB/M01116X/1 and BB/S506783/1), EPSRC (EP/R511808/1), the 91福利 and Iceni.