Project description DEENESFRITPL New technique for rapid detection of cholera bacteria Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated. Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, is usually found in food or water contaminated by faeces from a person with the infection. Fast and cost-efficient detection methods for this pathogen are in high demand. Current positive detection takes several hours and is very expensive. The EU-funded PortPath project is developing a new approach for the detection of pathogens (with emphasis on the cholera pathogen). Based on automated analysis of water samples contaminated with pathogens, this method is faster and cheaper than previous detection methods. It can also be used by non-medical practitioners. Specifically, easy-to-use software is coupled with low-cost hardware to show whether pathogens are present in a water sample. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Many of today’s water resources are contaminated by pathogenic bacteria, which cause serious diseases, especially in low-income countries. One particularly grave concern is Vibrio cholerae, the disease-causing agent of cholera, with an estimated 1.3 to 4.0 million cases worldwide every year and an estimated annual mortality rate of up to 143,000 people. The current state-of-the-art detection methods for this pathogen have high demands on the equipment and on the expertise of the investigating person. In addition, a positive detection generally takes several hours and is very expensive. PortPath presents a completely new approach for the detection of pathogens (with emphasis on the cholera pathogen), which is based on automated analysis of water samples contaminated with pathogens. PortPath is not only much faster and cheaper than previous detection methods but can also be used by non-medical laypersons. An easy-to-use software together with low-cost hardware shows whether pathogens are present in a water sample. The software uses the recent developments in computer technology, especially in machine learning strategies. Significant components of PortPath have already been developed. The two objectives during the Proof of Concept phase are (1) the technical validation with a first prototype of PortPath, and (2) the development of a business plan for PortPath. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresocial sciencessociologydemographymortalitynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologynatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learning Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2020-POC - Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant Call for proposal ERC-2020-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum Pilot Coordinator TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address Strasse des 17 juni 135 10623 Berlin Germany See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN Germany Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address Strasse des 17 juni 135 10623 Berlin See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
