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PortPath: A Portable Device for Detecting Pathogens

Project description

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.

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.

Host institution

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN
Net EU contribution
€ 150 000,00
Address
STRASSE DES 17 JUNI 135
10623 Berlin
Germany

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Region
Berlin Berlin Berlin
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
No data

Beneficiaries (1)