Immunostorm Chip: Tracking trace level inflammation in Long COVID

Project summary

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of individuals have been experiencing the effects of long COVID. While the understanding of long COVID remains limited, it is thought that an underlying inflammation may play a significant role in driving the disease. Unfortunately, the absence of a definitive diagnostic test for long COVID has resulted in limited access to appropriate treatment and resources for patients. Consequently, many individuals suffering from long COVID feel neglected and ignored. Nanotechnology presents a promising avenue for developing advanced diagnostic systems capable of conducting highly sensitive and multiplex analysis of various circulating biomarkers, including those associated with inflammation. This project aims to leverage digital nanotechnology, specifically the Immunostorm Chip depicted in Figure 1, to investigate the involvement of inflammatory biomarkers in patients diagnosed with long COVID. This project will provide an opportunity for students to acquire skills in a multidisciplinary environment at the interface of immunology, molecular biology and nanotechnology