This team successfully won a Discovery Award seed-funding grant to help further develop their ideas for their Longitude Prize application and create a diagnostic test  that helps solve the problem of global antibiotic resistance. Below we have asked them to explain their test and motivation for applying.

Please explain your test.

We are attempting to shrink the hospital microbiology laboratory onto a single microchip.

Please share a more detailed description of this work from a medical professional’s perspective.

The Microplate project brings together expertise to begin the development of a new rapid diagnostic test for antimicrobial susceptibility. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the project will combine cutting edge aspects of these research areas to develop a new antibiotic susceptibility test.

Why did you apply and what will the Discovery Award funding be used for in your work? 

We applied for the award proposing a new approach to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and felt a successful application for a Discovery Award would accelerate the progress of our research plans. We also wanted to obtain some initial funding for a proof of principle study, which will mainly be used to cover the technical and consumable costs associated with the work, with a small proportion also allocated for publicising the project.

What difference will your work make in the long term with regards to antimicrobial diagnostics?

Currently, due to time demands on doctors and a shortage of rapid tests, a high proportion of prescriptions for antibiotics are made speculatively and this can serve as a driver for resistance. The project will reduce the amount of time currently required to establish antimicrobial susceptibility profiles for bacterial infections. This will result in improved antimicrobial stewardship and reduced rates of antimicrobial resistance because the test will rapidly identify the susceptibility profile of the pathogen ensuring prescription of the correct drug.

Who is on your team? 

Dr Damion Corrigan
Dr Paul Hoskisson
Prof Will Shu
Dr Alan Faulkner Jones

If you are interested in collaborating with this team, please email us.