AptaMEMS-ID Background and Description

AptaMEMS-ID lies at the heart of the confluence of nano-, bio-, micro- and genomic technologies and proposes to use nano-enabled biological sensor technology for the development of a patient-side micro-system for the rapid detection of infectious organisms, including MRSA.

AptaMEMS-ID micro-systems could revolutionize screening procedures since elective patients could be screened at a primary healthcare centre or care home, and treated to remove the target organism prior to hospital admission.

The technology being developed in AptaMEMS-ID combines:

• Identification of bacterial cell surface associated proteins (SAPs) using bioinformatics tools including workflows and associated Grid technologies.  SAPS will provide a unique organism-specific fingerprint.
• Molecular engineering and production of peptide aptamers which bind specifically to identified SAPs
• Design, development and microfabrictaion of microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor systems based on multi-modal resonating structures
• Nanoscale molecular patterning of MEMS sensors with peptide aptamers designed to detect and bind to specific target bacteria
• Clinical testing of the devices developed in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

AptaMEMS-ID Team

 Newcastle University

•  Institute of Cellular Medicine - Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technolgies  - Prof Calum McNeil, Dr Philip Manning, Dr Neil Keegan, Dr James Henderson
• Institute of Cell and Molecular Biosciences - Prof Colin Harwood
• School of Computing Sciences - Prof Anil Wipat
• School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering - Dr John Hedley, Dr Barry Gallacher

   

Aptuscan Ltd.

• Dr Paul Ko Ferrigno

Health Protection Agency Newcastle Laboratory

• Prof John Magee

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Prof Kate Gould