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KOBI2013-OA-171
Funding Schemes: Research for the benefit of specific groups (SMEs) PS details
PROPOSAL AT A GLANCE
Proposal name:
MRSA-HUNTER -- Development of a point-of-care diagnostic system with automated sample preparation for the rapid identification of MRSA infections Subject:
The project would be based on a combination of a highly sensitive DNA-based sensor integrated with a fully automated smart sample preparation system. The DNA-sensor will be able to identify multiple gene sequences responsible for multi-resistivity. Thus the sensor will also be able to differentiate between multi-resistant and non-multi-resistant S. aureus spp. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Proposal Outline:
The appearance of multi-drug resistant bacteria is one of the major threats to modern healthcare (1). Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) is a global and growing problem. For example, every year about 440 000 new cases of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis emerge which may take at least 150 000 deaths. Drug-resistance tuberculosis has been reported from 64 countries to date (2). In US alone, 630 000 patients are killed by hospital-acquired, drug-resistant bacterial infections and the annual loss caused by drug-resistant bacterial infections is estimated to be $34 billion (3). In the EU, about 400 000 infections happen per year that results in, at least 25 000 deaths because of antibiotic resistant bacteria (4). The emergency of AMR is very alarming. For example, Streptococcus pneumonia which is a common pathogen that causes meningitis and pneumonia is becoming abundant. In 1987, only two out of 10 000 S. pneumonia infections (0.02 %) were resistant to penicillin. By 2004, the world had witnessed a 1000 fold increase in resistance, as one out of five of the bacterial infection turned out to be resistant (6). MRSA is a sub-type of S. aureus, resistant against the ß-lactam antibiotics (penicillin) but mostly also multi–resistant against Chinolone, Tetracycline, Aminoglycoside, Erythromycin and Sulfonamide. MRSA produces a Resistance-gen mecA, which is responsible for a modified Penicillin-Binding-properties. Furthermore MRSA can generate a ß-lactamase, an enzyme which can destroy penicillin. When less and less of the available antibiotics show any effect against new pathogenic bacteria, it is obvious one needs to use those substances that still have an effect but preferably only in cases when they really are needed. This would be advantageous since then one can reduce the risks of creating more resistance. Needs: Besides stringent hygienic routines, there is need for development in two areas: 1) new antimicrobial substances and 2) improved analytical technology in order to characterize the pathogen and its resistance pattern quickly, as traditional MRSA-tests will last about 3 days. This application deals with the latter of these two issues. Rapid diagnostic tests can facilitate the proper treatment of illnesses involving the selection of appropriate antibiotics. In addition, besides reducing the suffering for the patient, time and costs of the treatment will decrease (5). The project would be based on a combination of a highly sensitive DNA-based sensor integrated with a fully automated smart sample preparation system. The DNA-sensor will be able to identify multiple gene sequences responsible for multi-resistivity. Thus the sensor will also be able to differentiate between multi-resistant and non-multi-resistant S. aureus spp. The MRSA diagnostic system will have following two main parts: ultra-sensitive DNA-sensor allowing direct detection without amplification and multifunctional automated sample preparation system which can be easily adapted to different kind of samples (Smear from throat, mouth or nose, or sputum or urine). The DNA-sensor has been developed by Lund University and has already been tested under laboratory conditions providing a founded proof of concept. The proposed project will aim to build a device around sensor handling all necessary sample preparation steps automatically, with the aim to achieve a device suitable also for point of care applications, as well as a low labour cost laboratory device handling multiple samples autonomously. Major benefit of the proposed MRSA diagnostic system is the considerable shortened time to result, allowing an early initiation of the proper antibiotic therapy. - This would considerably lower the risk of mistreatment, potentially saving many lives. - Would allow the saving of therapy costs, thus considerable cost savings for the social insurance. - SME partners could benefit from production and distribution of the system and the required reagents. - Benefit for the end users would be better quality of service offered to patients, less risk, less cost. Keywords:
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology - Electro medical and Medical Equipment - Medical Technology/Biomedical Engineering - Virus, Virology/Antibiotics/Bacteriology - Laboratory Equipment PARTNER PROFILE SOUGHT
Already existing consortium:
RTDs: - 1 Hungarian research centre - 1 Swedish university SMEs: - 1 Swedish SME - 1 Belgian SME Partners sought and role in the project:
- A manufacturer SME of tailor-made oligo-nukleid type probes. - An SME with competence in traditional diagnostic methods and with access to different strains of bacteria. - An SME with competence in surface modification of magnetite nano-particles. RTD Performers:
The Proposer is looking for a Coordinator:
MY EXPERIENCE IN SME PROJECT MANAGEMENT
My organisation has already participated in an SME Project before My organisation has already coordinated an SME Project before I will be involved in the management of the project, should this be retained for funding by the EC I personally have already participated in an SME Project before I personally have already coordinated an SME Project before

Source: http://www.fp7.org.tr/tubitak_content_files//279/KOBI_Ortak_Arama/2013-OA/KOBI2013-OA-171.pdf