Project Title: Solving the non-specific binding challenge for glycan binding reagents to accelerate next-generation lateral flow diagnostics University of Manchester and Global Access Diagnostics
Lateral flow devices (LFDs), like pregnancy and COVID-19 tests, are simple, affordable diagnostics used at home and in clinics. They rely on two key components, signal generators (usually gold nanoparticles) and capture reagents (usually antibodies that bind to the target, e.g., hormones or viral proteins).
This project aims to accelerate non-antibody LFDs using alternatives like glycans, aptamers, peptides, and lipids. These offer exciting opportunities for enhanced sensitivity and robustness but face a major challenge: the gold nanoparticle surface often attracts contaminants from real samples (blood, saliva, urine), causing non-specific binding and reducing accuracy.
This project will use advanced polymer-interface engineering to solve this problem, enabling modular integration of new ligands for next-generation diagnostics. Our industry partner, Iceni Glycoscience, a UK leader in lateral flow technology, will support design-to-manufacture, focusing on social, equitable, and sustainable solutions.
About the Industry Partner
Global Access Diagnostics is a leading developer of Lateral Flow Assays and rapid diagnostic technologies, delivering many innovations in rapid point-of-care diagnosis. They offer a comprehensive range of lateral flow immunoassay development services to researchers, developers and manufacturers of rapid point-of-care tests. They offer end-to-end services—from assay design and custom antibody generation to device engineering, validation, and ISO 13485–certified production. Their team supports partners from concept through to scale-up to deliver accurate, affordable tests for all.