Multiplexed POCT detection of inflammatory biomarkers for disease diagnosis and stratification

The local and global prevalence of infectious diseases require plenty of healthcare resources. Accurate and on-time diagnostic information is of critical value for appropriate patient treatment and healthcare resource management. Typically, single biomarker testing results are not sufficiently sensitive and specific to achieve the high accuracy of diagnosis and stratification. Testing multiple biomarkers (e.g. inflammatory markers) may significantly improve the sensitivity of diagnosis and the efficiency of clinical decision-making processes. Furthermore, point-of-care testing (POCT) technologies may fill the gap of long turn-around time of conventional lab testing techniques, making critical testing capabilities available in resource-limited settings. This project focuses on developing a POCT imaging cytometry system for simultaneous measurement of multiple inflammatory biomarkers and characterize the analytical performance of the testing method. Furthermore, the feasibility of simultaneous testing of protein and cellular markers using the proposed POCT system will be investigated.

Faculty Supervisor:

James Stewart Aitchison

Student:

Xilong (Ryan) Yuan

Partner:

Thinkari Research Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto