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We’ve all lived through a historic pandemic, but what have scientists actually learned from the last few years of lockdowns and lateral flow tests? Join us for a night with a team of researchers from the i-sense research consortium studying how to respond to new diseases in a post pandemic world.
Come along for a series of rapid-fire talks followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Anna Byrne, to find out more about what the future of disease monitoring and pandemic prevention might look like. We shall cover all questions mentioned in the descriptions below, and any more from the audience!
Come along for a series of rapid-fire talks followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Anna Byrne, to find out more about what the future of disease monitoring and pandemic prevention might look like. We shall cover all questions mentioned in the descriptions below, and any more from the audience!
Ethics and equality in disease monitoring and healthcare
Chapman Ho
(PhD Student)
Disease affects us all, but does it affect us all equally? Why are you 58% more likely to be burdened by disease if you live in Africa and not the UK? How does an inequality in global health impact us and what role does science play in enacting change?
Chapman has a background in chemistry and is now pursuing a PhD at University College London. His research involves the design and synthesis of nanomaterials that can be used to develop new disease tests.
Chapman has a background in chemistry and is now pursuing a PhD at University College London. His research involves the design and synthesis of nanomaterials that can be used to develop new disease tests.
Nano-diamonds are forever: How can we make lateral flow tests better?
Alyssa Thomas DeCruz
(PhD Student)
Ever had trouble reading a lateral flow test? Can’t decide if you see a test line or not? You are not alone!
Gold nano-particles are commonly used to produce the red line of the test, but they only work well when the infection is strong. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to spot the test line by naked eye. But we have a solution to this: nano-diamonds!
Alyssa has a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Stony Book University (New York, USA). She spent two years in industry developing rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases before starting her PhD under Rachel McKendry.
Gold nano-particles are commonly used to produce the red line of the test, but they only work well when the infection is strong. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to spot the test line by naked eye. But we have a solution to this: nano-diamonds!
Alyssa has a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Stony Book University (New York, USA). She spent two years in industry developing rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases before starting her PhD under Rachel McKendry.
Sustainability in disease detection
Matty Banner
(PhD Student)
Ever wondered how we produce the components of a lateral flow test? Are they sustainable? How much waste is produced?
Matty is working towards his PhD at University College London. His research combines multiple different fields such as bioengineering, spectroscopy and machine learning.
Matty is working towards his PhD at University College London. His research combines multiple different fields such as bioengineering, spectroscopy and machine learning.
The silent epidemic of diabetes: Future directions for disease treatment
Yasmin Rasool
(PhD Student)
We may all be familiar with pandemics in the sense of infectious diseases but what about other diseases that are increasing at huge rates in our population? Why are so-called lifestyle diseases becoming more prevalent? What can we do to treat them? And lastly, how can we harness the signalling power of our own bodies to create nano-treatments for diabetes and beyond?
Yasmin has a MSci in Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow. Now she is researching novel diabetes therapies at Imperial College London under Prof Molly Stevens.
Yasmin has a MSci in Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow. Now she is researching novel diabetes therapies at Imperial College London under Prof Molly Stevens.
Antimicrobial resistance: A threat to modern medicine?
Anna Byrne
(Science Writer and Communications Manager)
Antibiotic resistance occurs when microbes evolve over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread and severe illness. The use of antibiotics underpins much of modern medicine, and therefore resistance poses a major global threat! I will answer questions on the world of antibiotic resistance, the evolution of '‘superbugs'’ and debunk some common myths and misinformation.
Anna has a MSc in Neuroscience. With a background in dementia research, she has managed external communications for a number of academic and NHS units.
Anna has a MSc in Neuroscience. With a background in dementia research, she has managed external communications for a number of academic and NHS units.
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