Rapid pathogen testing
We want to develop rapid pathogen detection products for both at home and point of care. Our lab works a great deal with pathogen genomics and testing. We have a few ideas:
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Mulitplex LAMP tests for Borrelia spp., Anaplasma, Babesia from patient blood and/or skin biopsy for point of care offices. Hundreds of thousands of people contract Lyme disease every year in the US, but standard testing is typically for antibodies. This would address that by providing an easy test for immediate testing for the presence of nucleic acids of the Lyme causing and other tick-borne pathogens.
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LAMP tests for West Nile Virus and others from mosquito pools. This would allow mosquito control agencies to more quickly conduct field pathogen testing to determine where and when to apply their resources for mosquito control. Currently many mosquito control agencies use sentinel chickens (antibody testing) or qPCR from mosquito pools and most do not do the work in house. But a simple kit and color change output could be a solution that allows them to bring testing in house and have more control over the speed of testing.
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The University of Delaware is a comprehensive public research university and the state’s flagship, recognized for cross-disciplinary collaboration with industry. A research and technology park adjacent to campus co-locates corporate R&D with university labs and startups, with shared facilities and pilot-scale capabilities; integration with a regional health system enables clinical translation. Its Mid-Atlantic location offers quick access to talent, transportation, and nearby industrial clusters, while a statewide extension network supports testing and adoption. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and NASA. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startup formation, and corporate engagement provides a single point of entry.
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