ViBrANT · Project

Rapid Diagnostic Tools to Detect Drug-Resistant Infections at the Point of Care

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Bacteria and viruses latch onto our cells using tiny sticky proteins called adhesins — like a burglar picking a specific lock. ViBrANT mapped exactly how these "locks and keys" work for some of the most dangerous drug-resistant pathogens. With that knowledge, they built miniature lab-on-a-chip biosensors that can spot these pathogens quickly and specifically. Think of it as a pregnancy-test-style device, but for detecting superbugs — right at the patient's bedside instead of waiting days for lab results.

By the numbers

early-stage researchers trained in translational infectious disease diagnostics

consortium partners across the network

EU/EEA countries with intersectoral researcher mobility

industry partners including 2 SMEs involved in translation

project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Drug-resistant infections are rising and current diagnostic methods are too slow — traditional lab cultures take 24-72 hours, during which doctors prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics that may not work and contribute to further resistance. Companies in the diagnostics space need faster, more specific detection methods that can identify exactly which pathogen is present and whether it carries resistance markers, ideally at the point of care rather than in a centralized lab.

The solution

What was built

The project mapped the molecular interfaces between pathogen adhesins (sticky surface proteins) and human host receptors for key viral and bacterial targets. From these maps, the consortium developed lab-on-a-chip biosensor prototypes using microfluidic technology aimed at rapid, specific pathogen detection, with priority given to multi-antibiotic resistant pathogens.

Audience

Who needs this

Point-of-care diagnostics manufacturers looking for next-generation pathogen detection targetsPharma companies developing anti-adhesion therapies against drug-resistant bacteriaHospital laboratory networks seeking faster antimicrobial resistance screeningBiotech startups building microfluidic or lab-on-a-chip diagnostic platformsVeterinary diagnostics companies facing similar antimicrobial resistance challenges in animal health

Business applications

Who can put this to work

In-vitro diagnostics

mid-size

Target: Companies developing rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests

If you are a diagnostics company struggling to differentiate your rapid tests from competitors — this project mapped the precise adhesin-receptor interfaces of drug-resistant pathogens and developed lab-on-a-chip biosensor prototypes that detect infections with high specificity. The 15-partner consortium across 7 countries validated these approaches across both viral and bacterial targets. This could give your next-generation test a specificity advantage over broad-spectrum assays.

Pharmaceutical & biotech

any

Target: Companies developing anti-infective drugs or antimicrobial resistance solutions

If you are a pharma or biotech company working on new treatments for multi-antibiotic resistant infections — this project produced detailed structural maps of how pathogens bind to human cells. These adhesin-receptor maps, developed across 9 universities and validated by 4 industry partners, can serve as drug target blueprints. Instead of spending years on target discovery, you could license these structural insights and jump straight to drug design.

Hospital infection control

enterprise

Target: Hospital groups and clinical laboratory networks

If you are a hospital network dealing with rising antimicrobial resistance and slow pathogen identification — this project developed microfluidic biosensor technology designed to detect resistant pathogens faster than traditional culture methods. The consortium included 2 SMEs working on translating these tools toward clinical use. Faster detection means faster targeted treatment, reducing broad-spectrum antibiotic misuse and associated costs.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this diagnostic technology?

The project was funded as an MSCA-ITN training network, so specific pricing for technology transfer is not publicly available. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the University of Leeds as coordinator or with the specific partner institution that developed the component you need. Given the early-stage nature, expect R&D co-development costs rather than off-the-shelf pricing.

Can this technology work at industrial scale for mass production of diagnostic kits?

Based on available project data, the lab-on-a-chip and microfluidic biosensor components were developed at research scale. The consortium included 4 industry partners (including 2 SMEs) with diagnostics expertise, suggesting some path toward manufacturability was considered. However, scaling to mass production would require additional engineering and validation work.

What is the IP situation — can we license specific components?

IP from MSCA-ITN projects is typically owned by the host institutions employing the researchers. With 15 partners across 7 countries, IP may be distributed across multiple institutions. Contact the University of Leeds coordination office to understand which partner holds the specific IP relevant to your needs.

Has this been tested in a real clinical setting?

The project focused on fundamental and translational research, with 1 demo deliverable on mapping viral adhesin-receptor interfaces. Based on available project data, the work remained at the research-to-prototype stage rather than full clinical validation. The 13 deliverables covered structural biology, proteomics, and biosensor development across the consortium.

How does this compare to existing rapid diagnostic tests on the market?

The key differentiator is specificity — ViBrANT mapped the exact molecular interfaces between pathogen adhesins and host receptors, enabling biosensors that target these specific binding events. This is more precise than many current rapid tests that rely on broader biomarkers. The 15 ESRs trained across 9 universities contributed expertise spanning structural biology, genomics, and microfluidics.

Does this address regulatory requirements for diagnostics?

Based on available project data, the project focused on the science and technology development rather than regulatory submissions. Any company looking to commercialize these biosensors would need to pursue CE-IVD marking (EU) or FDA clearance independently. The 4 industry partners in the consortium may have relevant regulatory experience to support this process.

Consortium

Who built it

ViBrANT assembled 15 partners across 7 countries (DE, FI, FR, NO, PT, SE, UK), with the University of Leeds coordinating. The mix is research-heavy: 9 universities and 2 research institutions handle the science, while 4 industry partners (including 2 SMEs) bring commercial perspective — a 27% industry ratio. For a business looking to access this technology, the distributed consortium means IP and expertise are spread across multiple institutions. The presence of SME partners suggests some components were developed with commercialization in mind, though the training-network format means the primary output was skilled researchers rather than market-ready products. Companies interested in specific biosensor or structural biology outputs should identify which partner institution led that work stream.

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDSCoordinator · UK
UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHOparticipant · PT
HELSINGIN YLIOPISTOparticipant · FI
LUNDS UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE
CENTITVC - CENTRO DE NANOTECNOLOGIAE MATERIAIS TECNICOS FUNCIONAIS EINTELIGENTESparticipant · PT
BIOMERIEUX SAparticipant · FR
INSTITUT PASTEURparticipant · FR
JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAINparticipant · DE
UNIVERSITETET I OSLOparticipant · NO
UNIVERSITY OF HULLparticipant · UK
EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITAET TUEBINGENparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

University of Leeds, UK — reach out to the Faculty of Biological Sciences or the project coordination office

Order a report on this consortium See UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to know which ViBrANT partner developed the biosensor component most relevant to your product line? SciTransfer can identify the right contact and arrange an introduction.

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