A consortium of micro engineers and micro biologists will develop nanotechnology diagnostics built into mobile phones to detect sexually transmitted infections.
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN) and Healthtech and Medicines KTN helped build the consortium that has recently received a GBP4m grant for research into telecommunication-dependent STI diagnosis.
The ESTI2, electronic self-testing instruments for STI consortium, aims to conduct translational research in rapid, accurate, polymicrobial, personalised and telecommunication-dependent STI diagnosis and management.
The funding grant administered by the Medical Research Council (MRC), will help build an interface between bio-nanotechnology and bio-engineering over five years.
By bringing together micro engineers and micro biologists, the consortium will provide high-risk populations with easier and more immediate access to STI diagnosis.
The grant will provide funding for evaluation clinics where large-scale trials can be carried out and most importantly the opportunity to look at the challenges surrounding the ethics of responsibility that would be given to patients.
By attending events organised by the NanoKTN and Healthtech and Medicines KTN and by working closely with key personnel at the KTNs, the consortium has built a network of industrial collaborators that will contribute to the ESTI2 funding proposal and campaign.
