The Research Project
We believe that portable molecular digital diagnostics can transform healthcare in Africa.
Established in August 2022, the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Digital Diagnostics for African Health Systems aims to:
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develop an evidence-base to support the development, implementation, and impact of digital diagnostics technology in African health systems
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training a cohort of African Digital Diagnostics Fellows who will evaluate the impact of and develop further digital diagnostics technology
Background & Research Questions
Digital diagnostics use lab-on-chip technology to detect analytes, generating, processing, storing, and transmitting digital data, with real-time connectivity, providing actionable results to the user and data for disease surveillance.
We have developed a modular digital molecular diagnostic platform called Lacewing, which features the sensitivity of PCR in a handheld, easy-to-use, robust, rapid, and cheap, sample-to-answer format, suitable for point-of-need diagnosis in African healthcare settings.
We have developed a series of tests for different diagnostic situations including detection of malaria parasites and other pathogens, and distinguishing causes of childhood febrile illness. Data from each diagnostic test is transmitted to a smartphone which provides the user interface and secure onwards transmission of data.
Cross-cutting Work Packages
WP1 | Technology Development
Leads: Prof. Pantelis Georgiou, Dr Jesus Rodriguez Manzano (Imperial College London)
WP2 | Community Engagement and Involvement
Lead: Prof. Salome Bukachi (University of Nairobi)
WP3 | Diagnostic Evaluation
Leads: Dr Jane Achan (Malaria Consortium), Dr Samuel Duodu (University of Ghana)
WP4 | Health Systems
Lead: Dr Julie Balen (University of Sheffield)
WP5 | User Interface Co-design
Lead: Dr Talya Porat (Imperial College London)
WP6 | Data Integration and Application
Leads: Prof. Céire Costelloe (Institute of Cancer Research), Mr Darlington Akogo (minoHealth AI)
Research Sub-Projects
SP1 | Evaluation of the detection of asymptomatic carriage of malaria parasites in cross-sectional community screening surveys using a point of care digital diagnostic
PhD Student: Dimbintsoa Robinson, MRC Unit The Gambia (LSYTM) – Supervisors: Prof. D'Alessandro, Prof Tinto
SP2 | Evaluation of the detection of malaria parasite species and anti-malarial resistance in uncomplicated malaria patients using a point of care digital diagnostic
PhD Student: Martin Chamai, University of Ghana, WACCBIP – Supervisors: Dr Amoah, Prof. Awandare
SP3 | Evaluation of the detection of malaria in pregnancy and anti-malarial drug resistance using a point of care digital diagnostic
PhD Student: Jean-Bertin Kabuya, Tropical Diseases Research Centre – Supervisor: Prof. Christine Manyando
SP4 | Evaluation of detection of P. falciparum and P. Vivax malaria and G6PD deficiency using a point of care digital diagnostic
PhD Student: Waleed Mohammed Alhaj Jebreel, University of Khartoum, IEND – Supervisors: Prof. Osman, Prof. Mahdi
SP5 | Evaluating a digital diagnostic to distinguish between causes of childhood febrile illness
PhD Student: Flavia Kaduni Bawa, University of Ghana, WACCBIP – Supervisors: Dr Duodu, Dr Usuf, Dr Cunnington
SP6 | Developing and evaluating a digital diagnostic for environmental pathogen detection
PhD Student: Erick Odoyo, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) – Supervisors: Dr Sifuna, Dr Rodriguez Manzano
SP7 | Evaluating digital diagnostic implementation through national and international health policy & health systems analysis
PhD Student: Shola Kelly Molemodile Dele-Olowu, University of Ghana – Supervisors: Dr Balen, Prof. Yeung, Prof. Yawson
SP8 | Evaluating digital diagnostic implementation through local health systems and service analysis
PhD Student: Mamadu Baldeh, MRC Unit The Gambia (LSYTM) – Supervisors: Dr Balen, Prof de Witte, Prof Yeung
SP9 | Co-design and development of user interfaces for digital diagnostics
PhD Student: Faiza Umar Bahaw, University of Ghana – Supervisors: Dr Porat, Dr Abdulai, Dr Baxter
SP10 | Integration and application of data from digital diagnostics for disease surveillance and control
PhD Student: Francis Dzabeng, University of Ghana – Supervisors: Dr Abdulai, Mr Akogo, Dr Okell, Dr Costelloe
Research plan overview
![NIHR_GHRG_Complete_Application[52].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/53507a_a5a0802f0be24017a019768b5dabd242~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_960,h_540,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/NIHR_GHRG_Complete_Application%5B52%5D.jpg)
Let's Connect
Imperial College London
Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease
St Mary’s Medical School
Room 250
Paddington
Norfolk Place
London
W2 1PG
Contact: f.piffer@imperial.ac.uk