Jirásko, Vlastimil Dr.
Institute for Biomedical Engineering
Gloriastrasse 35
ETZ F 84
8092
Zurich
Schweiz
Student projects:
We are constantly looking for highly motivated and independent students interested in master's or bachelor's thesis projects in medical diagnostics. We are happy to supervise students with various backgrounds such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, medical science, physics, engineering and material science.
If you are interested in developing diagnostic tests for the detection of infectious diseases, monitoring inflammation markers or improving our novel, highly sensitive electrochemical readout, please send me a short CV including a few sentences on your motivation for joining the project. The specific project can be tailored to your interest.
Research interest:
Laboratory-grade results for home testing. The novel, highly sensitive, quantitative electrochemical readout of conventional lateral flow assay.
At the Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, we developed a novel method that enables a highly sensitive and quantitative readout of a standard lateral flow assay test. Our patented technology is a cornerstone of ETH spin-off external pageHemetron (external pageHemetron.com), which will develop a novel at-home blood testing platform. Our technology will transform conventional rapid antigen tests into lab-grade, fast, mobile and affordable diagnostic devices.
We are continually improving our technology to further enhance sensitivity and reproducibility to compete with the most sophisticated laboratory equipment. Additionally, we are developing a new diagnostic assays to generate a pipeline of tests that will enable patient triage and diagnostic at home via telemedicine appointments.
Development of Mycobacterium ulcerans diagnostic rapid antigen test for early diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease.
The Mycobacterium ulcerans, so-called flesh-eating bacteria, is a slow-growing bacterium closely related to M. tuberculosis and M. leprae that cause skin disease Buruli ulcer (BU). The BU is a neglected tropical disease with an unknown mode of transmission to humans. The BU starts as a painless nodule or swelling, which then transforms into large ulcers if not treated with antibiotics and often leads to severe suffering, stigmatization and permanent disabilities in children in West Africa. The M. ulcerans produces a unique toxin, mycolactone, which causes tissue damage and inhibits the immune response and is the critical factor for M. ulcerans pathogenesis.
Field-applicable rapid antigen test, which would enable early diagnosis followed by antibiotic treatment in a rural part of Africa, is currently missing. Its urgent development is one of WHO's priorities in BU's successful treatment.
In close collaboration with the laboratory of Prof. Gerd Pluschke at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, we will develop rapid antigen tests capable of detecting M. ulcerans surface protein and its unique toxin, mycolactone. We will use novel monoclonal antibodies generated in the laboratory of Prof. Pluschke by in vitro evolution protocols to develop a lateral flow assay compatible with our highly sensitive and quantitative electrochemical readout.
Our test will comply with WHO's ASSURED criteria (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free and Deliverable to end-users) and it will enable the combination of fast diagnostic with targeted antibiotic treatment in remote areas with limited access to the centralized health care system.
Highly sensitive and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV2 by lateral flow assay with electrochemical readout.