Support From NanoKTN and HealthTech and Medicines KTN Secures £4million MRC Grant for STI Diagnostics Research at St George’s, University of London

The eSTI2, electronic self-testing instruments for STI consortium, was developed under a UKCRC Strategy Development Grant and aims to conduct high quality translational research in rapid, accurate, polymicrobial, personalised and telecommunication-dependent STI diagnosis and management.

The funding grant administered by the Medical Research Council (MRC), will help build an interface between bio-nanotechnology and bio-engineering over five years. By bringing together micro engineers and micro biologists, the consortium will provide high risk populations with easier and more immediate access to STI diagnosis. The grant will provide funding for evaluation clinics where large scale trials can be carried out and most importantly the opportunity to look at the challenges surrounding the ethics of responsibility that would be given to patients.

The Knowledge Transfer Networks, such as the NanoKTN and HealthTech and Medicines KTN, were set up by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) to drive the flow of knowledge within, in and out of specific communities. The KTN’s primary aim is to encourage collaboration and knowledge transfer between key players in industry. One of the key methods to ensure networking between industry professionals is to facilitate interactions through contact building and events. By attending events organised by the NanoKTN and HealthTech and Medicines KTN and by working closely with key personnel at the KTNs, the consortium has built a network of industrial collaborators vital to the success of the eSTI2 funding proposal and campaign.

Dr Tariq Sadiq, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Physician, St, George’s, University of London comments; “Diagnosis of STIs is increasingly moving away from healthcare settings and the microbiological challenges that previously limited the development of rapid diagnostics are now being overcome. We are extremely excited about the research and believe it will have a huge impact on people’s lives.”

Sadiq continues, “Networking and building industry contacts has been crucially important to the success of the consortium. It allows companies, academia and healthcare providers to address challenges to the adoption of the technology that could not be addressed by constituent groups individually. The KTN events have been invaluable to us when setting up the consortium, applying for funding and developing solid clinical and microbiological networks. There is no doubt that the assistance given to us by both KTNs will allow us to facilitate development and adoption of effective diagnostics.”

Mike Fisher, Theme Manager, NanoKTN adds, “At the NanoKTN, we have found our events to be hugely helpful to a huge number of companies and organisations, working in a variety of different markets. It has been a pleasure to assist the consortium in building a network and it is fantastic to see the success they have had and we look forward to working with them closely in the future.”