Federation Wallonia-Brussels,
Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI)
Poland/Wallonia-Brussels 3 years Programme (2017-2019)
TOXOCARA - Detection and specific identification of two Ascaridoidea responsible for zoonotic diseases in environmental samples - Optimization of current tools for performance analysis
(2017-2019)Jean-François DURANT Cooperation within the frame of Poland/Wallonia-Brussels 3 year programme: CTMA, Eugeniusz Piasecki University School (EPUS - Poznań Poland) (specialized in parasitology)
EPUS and CTMA are collaborating since 2012. In 2015 a research fellow of the EPUS has worked at CTMA within the frame of an ERASMUS (European Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students)
The toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease widely distributed around the world and caused by Ascaridoidea Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, common parasites of dogs and red foxes on the one hand, and on the other hand cats. The source of the human infection is direct ingestion of eggs from contaminated soil. Microscopic observation is the reference method for the identification of the eggs, but this method is not very sensitive. A new diagnostic tool for PCR in real time was developed previously by CTMA. This study showed the ability of the test to detect and identify Toxocara eggs in experimental samples. In order to take the necessary measures of prevention and decontamination, the aim of this project is to implement this tool to diagnostic the level of contamination in eggs of Toxocara and other Ascaridoidea in samples selected for their direct impact on public health: soils, sandboxes, parks, gardens and other tunes for children in Federation Wallonia-Brussels and in Poland.
University's development cooperation (UDC)
Targeted Interuniversity Pole
TOXINEID - Specific Multiplex and immunochromatographic Detection of a Well Defined Panel of Toxines nside a Representative Food Sample
(2016-2020)Jamal BADIR, Auxane LADANG, Mostafa BENTAHIR, Benjamin SMITS National consortium: CTMA (Promotor), ULg - histologie humaine- CRPP
Accidental or intentional food poisonings are a source of growing concern for public health authorities and stakeholders in the food chain (producers, consumers). The major economic impact of the deadly food poisoning in Germany in 2011 and the increase in the risk of voluntary food contamination in industrialized countries illustrate the need to take preventive and corrective measures based on new technologies for rapid analysis of the nature and the potential source of the poisoning. In keeping with the theme 'food security', the TOXINEID project extends the register of activities initiated in previous projects and meets a major need in terms of detection and quick identification of food toxins. The deliverable of the project is a multiplex immunochromogenique to innovative lateral flow detection device, simultaneously targeting a wide range of food toxins: a group targeting the botulinum toxin type A, B, and E, and the staphylococciques enterotoxins A and B; a group targeting the major representatives of the phycotoxines (saxitoxin, okadaique acid and domoic acid) and mycotoxins (aflatoxin and Ochratoxin). This deliverable will be integrated into the final PPS offering an electronic reader fitted with a high resolution, camera, an algorithm for analysis and image processing,a scanning software and an automatic transfer of results. Deliverable and PSS constitute a comprehensive miniaturized, robust, compatible with stand-alone use in extreme and is low cost. They meet the needs of a simple local use, requiring no specific expertise for users.By integrating perfectly in the arsenal of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and the innovative PointofCare Testing (PCOT) tests, this project responds to the needs of the market and societal needs.
ALLERT - Handheld Allergens Detector
(2014-2016)Jamal BADIR, Benjamin SMITS, Auxane LADANG, Jérôme AMBROISE, Bertrand BEARZATTO National Consortium: ZENTECH SA, LAMBDA-X, CER GROUPE, CTMA
The scope of ALLERT project is to provide a practical, portable, rapid and effective diagnostic system to detect allergens in foods. This project does not focus on the IgE detection against specific allergens. The first level is our answer to the need of testing quickly several allergens in the same time.
The second level includes innovation in photonic allowing a better collection of image data to enhance quality of detection adapted to a mobile testing
The third innovative level will be the preparation of samples. By using a standard preparation device and a standard sample collection and filtration technique we will avoid the extreme variation in sample preparation quality.
The fourth innovative level will be in the data analysis using specific algorithms to clean images, analyze multiplexed spots and delivering a result with traceability, communication features.
BIOBACTIL WB - Health Optofluidic biosensor immunoassay for detecting and identifying bacteria in human samples matrixes
(2014-2016)Olga MINEEVA-SANGWO, Mostafa BENTAHIR Consortium: UCL TELE, CTMA, MULTITEL, SIRRIS, L. FUNDP, ULG Microsys Lab
Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes (the meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. Early detection of Meningitidis is crucial for successful treatment and prevention of possible patient health and neurological complications.
Whereas conventional methods used to identify the specific cause of meningitis are usually time consuming and laborious, need arises for sensors capable of rapidly detecting and accurately identifying infectious agents in complex suspensions such as CSF. Therefore, the aim of this present project is to develop a lab-on-chip demonstrator for detecting and identifying the presence of Neisseria meningitidis in cerebrospinal fluid samples.
The untreated sample is deposited on the chip, and passes through a series of micro- and opto-fluidic devices before reaching the detection zone (i.e., the sensor area). There, bacteria attach to bio-receptors (antibodies) directed against specific epitopes, and this binding in turn produces a signal generated through a transducer.
PIC - Support to improve the capacity for detecting and identifying infectious agents in the province of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(2012-2016)Leonid IRENGE International Cooperation: CTMA, ULB Ecole de santé Publicque (Bruxelles), Université catholique de Bukavu Laboratoire biologie Clinique (Bukavu, RDC), Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (Kinsasha, RDC)
Africa is the cradle of some of the most deadly infections. Management of infectious diseases in the province of South Kivu (DR Congo) is a challenge according to the serious impact of infectious disease on related morbidity and mortality and the risk of extension of outbreaks from remote areas to crowded cities and from RDC to European countries. The goal of the project is to improve the capabilities of identifying infectious agents in each health district hospital in the province of South Kivu.