Portable point-of-care diagnostic testing platform for emerging & Communicable Infectious Disease

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to join the RAPID Institute (Research Advances in Personalised Integrated Diagnostics) Research Group in DCU. The goal of our Institute is to leverage the capabilities of microfluidics to deliver novel diagnoses and monitoring of disease. The RAPID Institute works across 3 distinct technology pillars/platforms. Pillar 1 one focuses on leveraging microfluidics to understand and exploit the role of epigenetics in diseases that are particularly governed by temporal changes in the epigenome (e.g. Neurodegenerative & Metabolomic diseases/disorders) through development of a novel benchtop instrument which integrates automated liquid handling and highly sensitive electrochemical sensors. Pillar 2 will deliver novel wearable sensors which can conduct continuous biochemical monitoring of the patient to have a significant impact on treatment of diverse areas such as epilepsy and substance abuse.

This advertised PhD scholarship falls within research as part of Pillar 3 – Emerging & Communicable Infectious Disease. Pillar 3 will use microfluidics to underpin the development of a portable point-of-care diagnostic testing platform. This platform will leverage Lab-on-a-Disc (centrifugal microfluidics) to integrate sample preparation and a multiplex nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) into a single disposable test. Pillar 3 activities will deliver a sample-to-answer test including integration of the solution into a robust portable diagnostic instrument. The solution will be suitable for commercialisation / upscale manufacturing. As an initial target, the NAAT will address the emerging threat of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with an initial focus on Neisseria gonorrhoea (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). However, it is intended that Pillar 3 will develop a platform technology which can later be adapted to other societal challenges ranging from diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases in resource poor settings to plant-pathogen detection at border control points.

This advertised PhD position falls within research as part of Pillar 3 – Emerging & Communicable Infectious Disease. The appointed PhD candidate will be hosted in the School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, and work under the supervision of the Principal Investigator Prof. James Landers, and co-supervised by members of the interdisciplinary research team (e.g. Drs Eadaoin Carthy, Loanda Cumba, David Kinahan, Nigel Kent, Margaret McCaul). We currently have a unique opportunity for the right candidate to avail of a full-time PhD Scholarship incorporating an annual tax-free stipend of €22,000, payment of EU tuition fees, and laptop. Travel to training, conferences and activities of the research will also be supported.

Project Background

Given the analytical power conferred by process integration, it is interesting that microfluidics has had so little impact on POC testing. The lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) test for pregnancy may be the single most commercially successful microfluidic POC test ever [1] (followed by recent surge in antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2) [2]. However, outside of these examples, microfluidics has not contributed extensively to testing where it could have the most impact – emerging pathogens where infectious disease management and suppression is required [3, 4], and where testing infrastructure is not available. A clear desire exists for bacterial infection results during the patient’s visit (not unreasonable within the realm of contemporary diagnostic testing technologies) to eliminate the guesswork of empirical medicine. In particular, Neisseria gonorrhoea (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) are the most commonly reported STIs in Europe. Yet, few portable, low-cost POC tests for such bacterial infections have surfaced. What is needed is a flexible platform that can shift the burden from hospital labs to the GP setting. We will develop a platform which relies on amplification of bacteria-specific sequences in a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) developed on an elaborate disc architecture at DCU in collaboration with our manufacturing partner (Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology).

Person Specifications

Minimum Criteria

•        Have an Upper Second Class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in in Mechatronic / Mechanical / Biomedical / Electronic Engineering; Biomedical / Applied Physics or a related Engineering / Science degree.

•        A Master’s degree or other post graduate qualification in a relevant subject and/or research area is desirable. A research master’s degree in Lab-on-a-Chip or other areas related to Pillar 3 activities are particularly welcome.

•        Have experience of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies.

•        Demonstrate themselves to be highly motivated, with strong organisational, interpersonal and (oral/written) communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

•        Experience working /conducting academic empirical research.

•        Experience in microfluidics / Lab-on-a-Chip and micro-fabrication. Experience with heat-transfer in Lab-on-a-Chip.

•        Experience and expertise in SolidWorks CAD, LabVIEW control software and data analysis techniques is highly desirable.

•        Experience with molecular methods and NAAT testing.

•        Previous experience in health-related research would be beneficial to the post.

•        Have presented their research findings, either at national/international conferences or in peer-reviewed journals.

Following an initial selection process, the appointed PhD candidate will develop, in collaboration with supervisors, a detailed research proposal focused on a distinct aspect of the described research programme to be submitted to DCU and that would be subject to the applicant meeting the full requirements for admission to doctoral studies at DCU.

Application Process

Applications to include CV, covering letter (demonstrating how you fulfil the essential and desirable criteria), and the contact details of two referees should be sent, via email (in word or PDF only) to Dr John Gleeson at john.p.gleeson@dcu.ie.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 19^th July 2024.