Early detection of sepsis using a lateral flow immunoassay technique

Purpose and goal

Our collaboration between the Academic Hospital and MAIIA has been very successful. I feel I have greatly benefited from the opportunity that the Vinnova mobility grant has provided me. I have received great mentorship, guidance, and excellent training in all the current methods. By being able to directly exchange knowledge with leading scientists and clinicians at the Academic Hospital, I have been able to develop a preliminary model for endotoxin detection.

Expected results and effects

We were able to conjugate two ligands, conA and PMB to the affinity monolith columns successfully. We used the bound affinity monolith columns to concentrate endotoxin from endotoxin spiked buffer and serum samples, and detect the concentrated endotoxin directly with the LAL assay. Carbon black has also been shown to be quite sensitive for endotoxin binding. We were able to conjugate both ligands onto the carbon black particles and introduce them to endotoxin spiked serum and buffer solutions.

Planned approach and implementation

We originally planned to work on creating a lateral flow immunoassay for sepsis detection. During the year however, we learned that the preanalytical concentration device for endotoxin seemed to be more interesting and needed for the field. We therefore decided to spend more time on this instead of creating a lateral flow immunoassay.