Farfield Scientific has been awarded a prestigious contract as part of a pan-European research initiative to develop a diagnostic test for hepatitis A, B and C
The project, code named Sabio, deploys one of the latest and most sensitive optical sensor technologies based on hollow or 'slot' waveguides to detect multiple analytes in sera, making it possible to test for these diseases in a single, label free, point of care assay.
The collaboration between partners in Sweden, Austria, Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Great Britain brings together a talented multidisciplinary team to diagnose one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide, second only to tuberculosis.
The identification and characterisation of suitable antibody interactions falls to the research group of Professor Heinz Zoller of the hepatology laboratory, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria, led by Professor Wolfgang Vogel.
"We look for viral infections and tumours.
"At present, routine diagnostic techniques must be performed in specialist laboratories", explains Zoller.
"Our first goal is detection of viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma and disturbances in iron metabolism".
Farfield's role has been to help quantify the coupling of these antigens to the waveguide surface using its patented dual polarisation interferometry (DPI) technology, a technique which measures the quantity, structure and bioavailability of the captured antigens.
Chemical and physical changes in the antigen are then tracked in real time such that the assay can be optimised.
"This is an ambitious project which has the potential to make a real impact on modern healthcare", Farfield's CEO Gerry Ronan commented.
"Europe has a great propensity to coordinate such multinational and highly interdisciplinary activities which creates a fantastic optimism throughout the project.
"It's truly exciting to be part of it".
Using Farfield's technology, embodied in the AnaLight instrument at the Medical University of Innsbruck, studies are being carried out to optimise molecular orientation, surface loading and antibody-antigen interactions at sub pg/mm2 sensitivity.
Farfield is delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project and are proud to contribute to designing a reliable diagnosis for these devastating diseases.
The ultimate objective is a generic platform for the rapid, simple diagnosis of cancer and genetic and viral illnesses at the point of care in hospitals, GP surgeries or even in the field.
