SCOTTISH researchers are leading an international initiative to develop affordable technologies for tuberculosis testing, which could help millions of patients who are living in poverty or remote settings.
There are more than 10 million new cases of TB every year, and the €4.5 million (£4.1m) project, known as Accurate, Rapid, Robust and Economical diagnostic technologies for Tuberculosis (ARREST-TB) aims to offer an affordable, accurate diagnosis in poor and hard to reach areas.
The team will develop diagnostic tests that require low implementation and running costs and minimal training and expertise.
Doctors will use the technology to interpret test results, log location details of patients and transmit data for reporting cases.
Existing TB tests need skilled personnel, cost significant amounts and require centralised facilities which are difficult to set up and maintain in remote locations.
The project is led by Edinburgh University’s School of Chemistry alongside Heriot-Watt University, the University of Padova, the Central Tuberculosis Research Institute in Moscow, and India’s National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis.
Also involved are Spain’s DestiNA Genomica and Genetic Analysis Strategies, India’s Shanmukha Innovations, and Optoi, from Italy.
Dr Seshasailam Venkateswaran from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry, who is leading the project, said: “Our diagnostics will enable precise treatments and limit disease propagation. The project is driven by a practical need to achieve diagnosis of TB and drug resistance and a seamless collection of data at low costs with minimal training and expertise.
“Our diagnostics will enable precise treatments and limit disease propagation.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here