Point of Care Faecal Calprotectin Assay Using Visual Interference Color Technology

To distinguishing between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colonoscopy is currently the gold standard. However, not only it is painful for the patient, but also expensive and time consuming. To address this problem, calprotectin in the stool can be a perfect marker to test. Companies such as BÜHLMANN has developed ELISA, but it is still an expensive, laborious, and time-consuming process that does not permit daily or weekly monitoring that would cost >$300/month/patient. Herein, a novel quick test for calprotectin level measurement using the Visual Interference Color Assay (VICA) technology from Pavonis Diagnostics Inc is proposed. This technology can help visualize protein interactions through visible color changes on the company developed aluminum foil slide. Specifically, calprotectin in the stool sample from the patient can be captured onto the slide and show a color change. By taking the image of the slide and analyzing the color change using the company developed VICA Lightbox, calprotectin level measurement can be completed within 30 minutes. This quick test can potentially exonerate the public health systems from spending unnecessary time and effort, as well as the patients from painful colonoscopy and biopsy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Todd McMullen

Student:

Partner:

Pavonis Diagnostics Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Retail trade

University:

University of Alberta

Program: