Award details

MicroSensor: development of a novel and highly scalable platform technology for rapid in situ screening for infection on medical device surfaces.

Reference	BB/K010794/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Curtis Dobson
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The University of Manchester
Department	Life Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	178,001
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/12/2012
End date	31/12/2013
Duration	13 months

Abstract

unavailable

Summary

Many disposable medical products can be colonised by microbes, leading to severe illness or even death of the patient. Traditionally scientists have tried to find better ways to kill the microbes; however this approach has not fully worked, and may never eradicate the problem. Whilst carrying out BBSRC-funded work on this topic, we utilised methods we had developed to provide an alternative strategy for managing these infections. Our "MicroSensor" approach, involves a minature compartment close to the device surface, producing a strongly visible colour change when infected, thus enabling earlier clinical interventions to prevent serious infection occurring. Here we plan to show the MicroSensor is reliable, that its sensitivity can be controlled, and that it functions when used in a contact lens case or wound dressing, the applications closest to market. Major medical device companies have indicated these data would be required to convince them to co-develop the technology.

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Microbiology, Pharmaceuticals, Technology and Methods Development
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Follow-On Fund (FOF) [2004-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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