Overview
Our aim is to reduce the high impact of infectious diseases by providing the capacity to develop, test and implement simple to use, rapid, accurate tests for multiple infections which are affordable and that can be mobile-phone networked. This will bring, easy and immediate access to diagnosis and treatment for at risk harder to reach and vulnerable populations and improve disease surveillance. Our first program is to target sexually transmitted infections (STI), by developing and promoting the diagnostics and investigating the most effective ethical systems of care in which these diagnostics are deployed.
Microbiology
eSTI2 is providing microbiological and genomic expertise to support the translation of diagnostic research using clinically tested combinations of DNA-based and other molecular reporters into varied biosensor and sample processing devices. These are delivering prototype PoC devices for multiple STI and antibiotic resistance testing.
Microengineering
eSTI2 is investigating technical solutions to overcome the barriers to developing rapid microfluidic polymicrobial diagnostics. eSTI2 is producing a prototype STI testing platform to demonstrate that these solutions work in microsystems. These prototypes will add value, as “front-end” STI testing systems, usable by industry to evaluate novel bio-sensing technologies that are rapidly emerging from nanotechnology and semiconductor research and thus be an aid to translation of promising diagnostics.
Diagnostic Evaluation
eSTI2 is linking a network of Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics in England in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency, used for surveillance of HIV/STIs directly to two microbiology laboratories for diagnostic evaluation. This is successfully delivering small and large prospective clinical evaluations of novel STI diagnostic tests. “End-user” needs are integrated in trial design, facilitating adoption in the health sector.
eCommunications
eSTI2 is developing wireless-web-based systems for clinically managing STI diagnosis and supporting remote user STI surveillance.
Public Health
eSTI2 is assessing regulatory, clinical, and economic constraints of eSTI2 community testing and are conducting community-based studies of eSTI2 deployment. Findings will inform further technological development of mobile-interfacing rapid diagnostics, in preparation for future community-based trials.
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Overview
Microbiology
Microengineering
Diagnostic Evaluation
eCommunications
Public Health
