Platform 6: Diagnostics

Development and evaluation of innovative diagnostics 

This programme is designed to develop, evaluate and validate novel diagnostic technologies. Our team offers industry access to world-leading expertise and facilities that support every stage of the product development journey, from early-stage concept, through evaluation of prototypes and regulatory approval. We work with industry to assess analytical and clinical sensitivity and specificity and efficacy in real-world settings, providing valuable insights to accelerate optimal diagnostic deployment. The platform’s industry partners benefit from a broad diagnostic focus and expertise across a range of platforms including antibody and antigen detection (ELISA, lateral flow test, microfluidics), culture and molecular testing (qPCR, LAMP, portable platforms). 

The diagnostics team continues to support the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) as the UK evaluation site for diagnostic evaluation testing to inform the World Health Organisation (WHO) on procurement and policy decisions.  

This hub of diagnostics research expertise has access to the largest Containment Level 3 laboratories in the Northwest. Able to handle and process hazardous pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, Mycobacterium and Influenza. We work with industry to assess diagnostic accuracy using FDA approved protocols for analytical and clinical accuracy in real world settings, providing valuable insights to accelerate market access and produce optimal diagnostic deployment. 

These facilities and capabilities enable the team to quickly respond to changing circumstances and means it has experienced significant demand from commercial companies to establish partnerships and ongoing collaborations. Much of this demand stems from the continuing need to test the performance of COVID-19 diagnostics against newer variants and more recently there has been a requirement for our skills and capabilities from companies developing and wishing to evaluate Mpox and Influenza tests.

Break-through sensor technology 

This platform utilises sensor technology with advanced AI analysis to help develop point of use non-invasive diagnostics. These range from the measurement of parasites in peripheral blood to quantification of insecticide concentrations on a range of surfaces. 

Our team is based at a world-class sensors laboratory located at the Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator. The technology in this lab, developed by Liverpool John Moores University’s BEST Research Institute, is designed to support the real-world development and evaluation of impactful non- invasive diagnostics to quality assure and monitor infectious disease prevention and treatment in order to better protect communities. 

Development of novel surface technologies 

World-leading surface design and analysis, through the Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces housed with the University of Liverpool’s Surface Science Research Centre, is enabling anti-infective and vector control surfaces to be evaluated, optimised and upscaled via knowledge-based engineering. Sophisticated surface sensitive spectroscopic and imaging techniques allow surfaces to be mapped and engineering at multiple length scales from the nano to the macroscale level and enables the interaction between technology and biological systems to be studied with precision. Our expertise is available to support industry in leveraging this technology to bring forward innovation in the anti-infective surfaces space in healthcare and vector control technologies in global disease control. 

Learn more – https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/antimicrobial-surfaces/  

For more information or to learn how your business can engage with this platform. 

Email Dr Lizzie Crawford