Micro-Metagenomics: Exploring the Application of Microfluidics to Viral Diagnostics (360G-Wellcome-207234_Z_17_Z)

The ultimate goal of the research is to develop a microfluidic system, usable in labratory and field situations, for the detection and quantification of the viral diversity in a sample. The initial stage will focus on analysing viral properties in order to differentiate the viruses into their different families. This data, which focuses on the size, shape and deformability of the viruses, will be used to inform mathematical modelling which will lead to the selection of nano scale filters to be used for testing. Analysis will then be performed on microfluidic experiments to validate models and test the effectiveness and efficiency of the filters when used for viral separation. For this research we will use easy to handle and non pathogenic viruses, as well as control substances with known proportions of these different viruses to allow us to effectively evaluate our initial systems. This will also be complemented by modelling of the particles as they interact with the filters to further investigate the dynamics and properties of separation. A key aim of this research is to generate a wealth of data which will have applications in the viral detection at low concentrations in bodily fluids and unbiased characterisation of viruses.