Hosted by Dr Essa Suleman, CSIR (Acting) Research Group Leader: Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics and Vaccines

Current technologies for detection of infectious diseases are primarily based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology and derivatives, which require expensive equipment, laboratories and highly trained personnel. This often results in significant delays which hinder rapid and effective responses to control infectious disease outbreaks. Furthermore, there is a need for rapid, molecular diagnostics as well point-of-care diagnostics, particularly in rural areas. To address these challenges, the CSIR is developing novel technologies and diagnostics. The lab-on-chip point-of-care technology platform will enable accurate, rapid and sensitive molecular diagnostics at point of care for a variety of infectious diseases with applications in the animal, human and environmental health sectors. For diseases such as Covid-19, high resolution melt and isothermal amplification are being developed to facilitate rapid and cost effective identification of different strain types and point-of-care diagnostics respectively.