- FUNDING
- United Kingdom
Details
- Deadline
- Research Field
- Formal sciencesNatural sciences
About
Outline
This PhD studentship will focus on the development of a rapid microwave based system to extract DNA from clinical samples.
Background
In order to make biomarkers available for detection, target DNA must be extracted from the clinical sample. Sputum is a complex mixture of organic material which contains a mixture of mucus, food debris and lung derived cells some of which contain bacteria trapped within.
The distribution of these bacteria in the sample is uneven, making it challenging to detect the presence of target DNA. Indeed, increasing the amount of sample processed increases the chance of detecting the biomarker.
Project aims and methods
To address this issue, we will develop a sample processing cartridge which will employ ultrasound to homogenize the sample, followed by exposure to pulsed microwaves of around 10 W rms power to release the DNA biomarkers from bacteria containing cells into the surrounding medium.
In this part of the extraction process, the duty cycle of the pulsed microwaves will be used to prevent heating, which might otherwise denature the target DNA. The released single stranded DNA will then be captured by specific DNA probes chemically linked to the surface of magnetite beads (a streptavidin/biotin system).
An electromagnet will then be used to recover the beads and their DNA cargo from the organic material. Following washing to remove extraneous organic material, the retained beads will be heated to 60°C to cause detachment of the target DNA. This detachment could be performed via directed microwave heating, or use conventional heating methods.
To achieve the objective, we have identified the following three work packages (WP):
- WP1. Design the sample processing cartridge and create prototypes
- WP2. Identify the nanoparticle DNA probe combinations which maximise the recovery of target DNA from microwaved samples.
- WP3. Identify the cartridge/ nanoparticle combination which maximises target DNA recovery in a form compatible with a lateral flow assay
The outputs from WP1 and WP2 will be combined to identify the approach which maximises the recovery of target DNA. This will be determined using simulated clinical samples spiked with known concentrations of Mycobacteria. The level of sensitivity achieved will be compared to that seen using stand microscopy based screening (ZN).
The industrial partner Microchip will support the activities in WP 1 and WP2 ensuring manufacturability and suitability for volume assembly. They will also support the design and assembly of microwave control and actuation.
What is funded
For more information on what is funded, please see our website: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding/view/kess2-east-phd-in-rapid-pathogen-detection-the-development-of-a-rapid-microwave-based-system-to-extract-dna-from-clinical-samples
Duration
3 years
Eligibility
For eligibility criteria, please see our website: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding/view/kess2-east-phd-in-rapid-pathogen-detection-the-development-of-a-rapid-microwave-based-system-to-extract-dna-from-clinical-samples
Organisation
- Organisation name
- Cardiff University
- Organisation Country
- More Information
Share this page
The responsibility for the funding offers published on this website, including the funding description, lies entirely with the publishing institutions. The application is handled uniquely by the employer, who is also fully responsible for the recruitment and selection processes.