Grant for the development of modern infection diagnostics
The project of Prof. Robert Ziółkowski from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Warsaw University of Technology has been included in the list of initiatives that received funding in the competition organized by the Medical Research Agency for the implementation of applied research in the biomedical field.
After conducting formal and substantive evaluations of 224 submitted applications, 57 projects were recommended for support, including one from Warsaw University of Technology titled "Development of modern infection diagnostics based on electrochemical sensor arrays as detection elements of portable, low-cost POC devices dedicated to rapid and reliable genetic analyses."
What does the project involve?
One of the directions in the development of modern molecular diagnostics is the creation of miniaturized devices that enable automation and the performance of complete genetic analysis of a sample in a short time, anywhere outside the laboratory, without technological barriers. The research planned within this project is closely related to this area. Prof. Robert Ziółkowski and his team will focus on determining the antibiotic sensitivity profile and species identification of microorganisms causing infections. The work will include the production and determination of analytical parameters for ready-made detection elements in the form of multi-channel electrochemical DNA sensors manufactured using printed electronics technology, as well as the development of proprietary fusion polymerases with properties tailored to measurements conducted using POC devices.
Developing such solutions will enable rapid amplification of genetic material under isothermal, low-temperature conditions (35–40°C) in unpurified samples, with the analytical signal being solely dependent on the current signal generated as a result of detecting a specific DNA sequence in the sample (without the influence of the sample matrix composition on the test result).
“The ability to conduct reliable genetic analyses in unpurified samples and to generate an analytical signal solely as a specific current intensity value means that the target diagnostic tool will achieve an unprecedented level of miniaturization and ease of use, while maintaining high throughput and reliability of the analyses,” says Prof. Robert Ziółkowski.
The research team consists of researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry at WUT: associate professor Marcin Olszewski, Katarzyna Szymańska, PhD, Nina Wezynfeld, PhD, associate professor Robert Ziółkowski, Marcin Drozd, PhD, from the WUT’s CEZAMAT Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies: Jakub Krzemiński, PhD, from the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene: Prof. Aleksandra Anna Zasada, Maciej Polak, PhD, as well as students and doctoral students from WUT.
The competition organized by the Medical Research Agency (2024/ABM/03/KPO) was conducted under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO), K Component D: Efficiency, accessibility, and quality of the healthcare system, Investment D3.1.1: Comprehensive development of research in medical and health sciences.
Applicants will receive support for conducting industrial research and/or development work in the fields of medical and health sciences aligned with the specific actions outlined in the Governmental Plan for the Development of the Biomedical Sector for 2022–2031. In the long term, the funds provided to beneficiaries will contribute to improving the efficiency and quality of the healthcare system.
The ranking list for the competition is available on the Medical Research Agency's website.