Public Health Diagnostics, AI & Surveillance

Electrocardiogram (ECG) for Health Monitoring 

Led by: Dr. Tarek Loubani
Partners: Palestinian Ministry of Health (Gaza), Glia

Technology Summary: This project is developing a low-cost, open-source (ECG) device designed to meet or exceed the performance of current gold-standard systems. Built for clinical validation at the London Health Sciences Centre (Canada), the device will be compared directly to the MAC 5500 HD Resting ECG System used in emergency departments. The goal is to deliver a high-quality, locally manufacturable ECG solution that expands access without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

Who it's for: This technology is intended for clinics, hospitals, and operating rooms in low-resource settings where access to reliable ECG machines is limited. It also supports health systems seeking to strengthen local manufacturing and quality assurance capacity for essential medical devices.

Frugal Flow Cytometer

Led by: Jessica Prodger, PhD
Partners: Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), Uganda; Uganda Virus Research Institute 

Technology Summary: This project is co-developing a low-cost, frugal flow cytometer that performs basic cell counting and fluorescence analysis without the expensive lasers and complex optics used in conventional systems. By integrating microfluidics, compact optical sensors, 3D printing, and modular electronics, the platform simplifies flow control, detection, and data acquisition while maintaining reliable performance. The result is a scalable, locally maintainable cytometry system designed for decentralized laboratories and training environments.

Who it's for: This technology is designed for public health laboratories, research institutions, and training programs in low- and middle-income countries where conventional flow cytometers are cost-prohibitive. It expands access to essential cell-based diagnostics and strengthens local biomedical research capacity.

See also: MSc Candidate, Henry Ssemunywa (Cost-Effective Micro-Physiological Models to Study Human-Papilloma Virus Transmission)

Low-Cost qPCR

Led by: David Holdsworth, PhD
Partners: University of Nairobi

Technology Summary: This project is developing an open-source quantitative PCR (qPCR) platform that delivers high-quality molecular diagnostics at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems. Built with readily available components and Raspberry Pi microprocessors, the device uses low-cost miniature optical instrumentation to accurately detect weak fluorescent signals during thermal cycling. By rethinking the design and manufacturing of qPCR technology, the team is making advanced laboratory diagnostics more accessible and locally adaptable.

Who it's for: This technology is designed for research laboratories, hospitals, and public health facilities in low-resource and remote settings where commercial qPCR systems are cost-prohibitive. It expands access to essential molecular testing while strengthening local research and diagnostic capacity.

Malaria Diagnostics 

Optical Microscopy

Led by: Ian Cunningham, PhD
Partners: Mbara University & Mbara Regional Hospital, Uganda 

Technology Summary: This project is developing a low-cost, battery-operated digital microscope capable of 1-micron resolution with a 1-mm field of view for point-of-care malaria diagnosis. Using 3D-printed components, computational optics, and a Raspberry Pi computer, the team has demonstrated proof-of-concept performance at a fraction of the cost of conventional laboratory microscopes. Led by researchers at the Robarts Research Institute in collaboration with partners in Uganda, the goal is to enable rapid, high-quality imaging in rural settings where timely diagnosis is critical.

Who it's for: This technology is designed for health-care providers and laboratories in rural and low-resource regions where access to conventional microscopy is limited. It supports faster malaria diagnosis so treatment can begin promptly and lives can be saved.

Loop-Mediated Isotherman Amplification (LAMP) System

Led by: Kibret Mequanint, PhD
Partners: Tropical and Infectious Disease Research Centre (TIDRC), Ethiopia; Jimma Institute of Technology (JIT), Ethiopia

Technology Summary: This project is developing a low-cost, battery-powered LAMP (Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification) device to detect and quantify malaria parasites in low-resource settings. Designed for use in rural clinics with unreliable electricity, the system operates at room temperature, delivers rapid results, and automates interpretation to reduce human error. By combining affordability, portability, and accurate quantification, the device aims to strengthen early diagnosis and treatment in regions most affected by malaria.

Who it's for: This technology is designed for frontline health workers and rural clinics in malaria-endemic regions, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa. It supports timely, accurate diagnosis in communities where conventional laboratory testing is inaccessible or unaffordable.

See also: PhD Candidate, Etagegnehu Dagnachew Feleke (Low-Cost Loop-Medicated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) System for Malaria Diagnosis 

Non-Invasive Blood Diagnostics 

Led by: Michael Reider, PhD
Partners: Cissy Kityo, Joint Clinical Research Centre, Uganda; BioNext Medical Innovators Hub (Robarts Research)

Technology Summary: This project is developing a non-invasive system that determines blood cell counts in real time by capturing and analyzing images of light directed through the capillary nailbed. Using single-cell imaging and advanced image analysis, the technology aims to eliminate the need for traditional blood draws and laboratory testing. The device integrates hardware and software to deliver point-of-care blood analysis in a portable format.

Who it's for: This technology is designed for health-care providers working in rural, remote, and resource-constrained settings who need immediate blood count information to guide diagnosis and treatment. It supports faster clinical decision-making without relying on laboratory infrastructure.

TB Antimicrobial Resistance Testing

Led by: Jennifer Guthrie, PhD
Partners: Public Health Ontario; Infectious Disease Hospital, Nigeria; University of Toronto

Technology Summary: This project adapts the pocket-sized Oxford Nanopore VolTRAX V2b to improve the speed and accuracy of tuberculosis (TB) antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Current laboratory methods can take up to eight weeks to deliver full diagnostic and drug-resistance results, which is not feasible in many high-incidence settings. By leveraging a portable platform, the project aims to shorten turnaround times while maintaining diagnostic precision.

Who it's for: This technology is intended for health systems in high-incidence TB settings such as Nigeria, particularly in rural and remote areas with limited laboratory capacity. It supports faster, more accurate treatment decisions for patients with TB.