Researching and manufacturing a Point-of-Care Real-time LAMP prototype with IoT and Blockchain integration for rapid disease analysis

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Huynh Van Ngoc

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

8

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Development of a Point-of-Care Real-time LAMP prototype with IoT and Blockchain integration enables real-time management and statistical analysis of infections, making it easy to track infections

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

Biological laboratory (We will collaborate with one of these laboratories: Vietnam National University of Agriculture; Institute of Biotechnology - Hue University, Institute of Biotechnology - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology)

• Develop LAMP reagents to detect pathogenic viruses/bacteria (Covid-19 or African swine fever virus), or can use existing commercial LAMP reagents
• Testing and evaluating the POC-LAMP machine to detect pathogenic viruses/bacterial (Covid-19 or African swine fever virus)
• Determining the sensitivity and specificity of POC-LAMP machine.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The project will be hardware and software fully open-source including Python code, electronic schematics, PCB design, and mechanical design.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by the 20th of February 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic affected 220 countries, areas, and territories with more than 492 million confirmed cases and more than 6.1 million deaths (https://covid19.who.int/). 

To control the disease, the diagnosis and confirmation of cases are crucial. Currently, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and later on antigen-based lateral flow tests were implemented as officially approved methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the clinical samples. However, the Real-time PCR technique is time-consuming and can only be performed in a limited number of laboratories, hospitals, and major healthcare centers. In addition to requiring strict technical procedures, Real-time PCR testing comes with a high cost and time-consuming process. Moreover, the current Real-time PCR systems are bulky, complex, and expensive, making it challenging to implement widespread deployment.

Next, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an isothermal amplification technique and can be performed at a constant temperature between 60°C and 65°C. LAMP exhibits several advantages e.g., high specificity, high sensitivity, fast amplification, and more resistance to inhibitors than PCR. The simplicity in controlling the constant temperature when compared with thermal cyclers of PCR, LAMP technics demonstrated a simple design and fast detection creating a high potential for real-time and point-of-care devices (POC). With these advantages, the LAMP may be an alternative to PCR in rapid POC diagnostic applications. Moreover, the Real-time LAMP technique is also employed in testing for other disease-causing agents such as various viruses, bacteria, and other pathogenic microorganisms. Besides healthcare, Real-time LAMP is applied in testing for livestock, poultry, food safety, and numerous other fields.

Therefore, we propose creating a handheld Real-time LAMP prototype with IoT and Blockchain integration, allowing for real-time management and statistical analysis of infections and facilitating seamless tracking of infection cases.

The objective of this project is to produce a prototype of a medical device that integrates IoT and Blockchain, reducing costs and time for Real-time LAMP testing while providing real-time and transparent data. This will facilitate easier management and statistical analysis of infection cases and enable timely and effective measures in response to disease outbreaks.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Proposal to address the challenge of:

 “Hardware - Hardware wallets, IoT devices connected to Cardano, Local ATMs for interacting with the blockchain, others...”

Our proposed solution addresses the challenge by producing a handheld Real-time LAMP prototype with IoT and Blockchain integration. By incorporating IoT, we enable seamless data collection and transmission, automating the storage and retrieval of test results. Integrating Blockchain technology ensures data transparency, immutability, and security.

The benefits this solution brings to the Cardano ecosystem are manifold. 

Firstly, it enhances healthcare infrastructure by providing a cost-effective and efficient tool for real-time management and analysis of infection cases. This improves disease control and response capabilities, fostering a healthier population.

Secondly, the integration of IoT and Blockchain technology aligns with Cardano's vision of empowering individuals through secure, decentralized systems. By enabling individuals to access and manage their health data securely, it enhances privacy and patient empowerment within the ecosystem.

Lastly, the widespread adoption of this solution can contribute to the overall growth and development of the Cardano ecosystem. It showcases the versatility and practicality of Cardano's technology in various industries beyond finance, expanding its use cases and attracting more stakeholders to the ecosystem.

Overall, our solution addresses the challenge of efficient disease management while aligning with the principles and objectives of the Cardano ecosystem, bringing benefits in terms of improved healthcare, individual empowerment, and ecosystem growth.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

We are a team of Lecturers and Researchers with many years of experience in teaching and writing specialized IT textbooks. Understand the process of creating and publishing textbooks in Universities. We are also full-stack developers, funded proposers, SPOs, and Eastern Townhall moderators. We have experience in systems development of Point-Of-Care instruments for real-time detection and qualification of pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

The team:

Nguyen Van Hieu, founder of HADA stake pool, member of Plutus Pioneer Program, and Lead Technical Support at many successful startups.

•   Email: nvhieu1978@gmail.com
•   Telegram: t.me/nvhieu1978
•   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-van-hieu-b4410121b/
•   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hieu.nguyenvan.794628

Huynh Van Ngoc, Ph.D. in Nano Science, has experience and capability in instrumentation engineering and systems development applicable to developing new Point-Of-Care instruments for real-time detection and qualification of pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

            Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Huynh-Van-Ngoc            

            LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huynh-van-ngoc-298a35169/

•  Email: hvngocs@gmail.com
•  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hvngocs

Here's what we've achieved in the Cardano Blockchain space over the years:

• We created an online blockchain technical center "Cardano tech hub"

• Training an offline class on Blockchain basics and Web3-bootcamp

• Guide 5 groups of students in scientific research to win high prizes in the evaluation period of students' scientific research at the University of Transportation and Communications.
• Organization of building and training groups to learn Haskell/Plutus together for nearly 30 consecutive weeks. Videos are available here
• The members of the project are the core team who organized the Community-Led Events Cardano Summit 2022 and are currently organizing the Community-Led Events Cardano Summit 2023. We consist of technical experts from http://Cardano2vn.io and professors from 5 major universities.

(This is the picture of the summit)

• Introduce and promote Blockchain and AI research and development to Universities

• We are collaborating with Gimbalabs to bring the Gimbalabs PPBL2023 course to Vietnamese in our native language.

• We have proposed and successfully executed 8 projects on Catalyst from Fund 6 until now. These 8 projects were completed according to the planned timeline and were highly regarded by the Catalyst community. All the information can be found here.

• Publication related to proposal:
• 1. Van Ngoc, H., Quyen, T. L., Vinayaka, A. C., Bang, D. D. & Wolff, A., “Point-of-care system for rapid real-time detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus based on commercially available Arduino platforms” Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, (2022) 10, 10 p., 917573.
• 2. Trieu Nguyen, Aaydha Chidambara Vinayaka, Van Ngoc Huynh, Quyen Than Linh, Sune Zo¨ega Andreasen, Mohsen Golabi, Dang Duong Bang, Jens Kjølseth Møller, Anders Wolff, ”PATHPOD – A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based point-of-care system for rapid clinical detection of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals in Denmark” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Volume 392, 1 October 2023, 134085

Therefore, we have confidence in managing the project budget correctly and efficiently. At the same time, we assure that we are suitable for and capable of executing this project well.

We can provide the Cardano developer ecosystem with the following metrics for evaluation:

• A handheld Real-time LAMP analyzer machine has the following main parameters:
• DNA amplification heating system uses self-developed technology of the subject with the ability to control temperature with high accuracy.
• Optical system: Real-time pathogen detection by fluorescence with FAM/SYBR Green I single-channel optical system (center wavelength absorption at 494 nm and emission at 518 nm). Open design optical system allows changing other color channels such as VIC/JOE, NED/TAMRA/Cy3, ROX/Texas Red by simply changing the filter.
• Quantitative LAMP run time: less than 50 minutes, run time can be tailored to each application by varying the temperature and time of the LAMP reaction.
• Automated control, data acquisition and results analysis, data conversion, and transmission to the monitoring system via IoT, Blockchain.
• The number of test samples is recorded on the Blockchain.
• Number of organizations using Point-of-Care Real-time LAMP analyzer.

[Project Milestones] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Phase I (F11): Design and manufacture of Point-of-Care Real-time LAMP machine (POC-LAMP) prototype

Kick-off (1 month)

• Deliverables: Documents collection, analysis of design and manufacturing methods for POC-LAMP machines, workshop report on component calculation and selection, electronic schematic design of POC-LAMP machine.
• Outputs: Understanding of design and manufacturing requirements, component selection for POC-LAMP machine, and electronic schematic design for further development.

Develop different components within the POC-LAMP machine (1 month)

• Deliverables: Development of the heating system, optical detection system, and design of compact electronic systems.
• Outputs: Fully functional and integrated components for the POC-LAMP machine, ready for further assembly.

PCB manufacturing and ordering electronic components (2 months)

• Deliverables: Printed circuit boards (PCB) design and fabrication, Purchase of electronic components, Cost of electronic and mechanical components.
• Outputs: Manufactured PCBs and procured electronic components for assembly.

Integrated prototype of the POC-LAMP machine (2 months)

• Deliverables: Completed integrated prototype of the POC-LAMP machine with heating, optical detection, electronic system, and mechanical components. Software development for the POC-LAMP machine.
• Outputs: Fully assembled and functional prototype of the POC-LAMP machine. Developed software for controlling and operating the POC-LAMP machine.

IoT Software and Blockchain Integration and Complete the project (2 months)

• Deliverables: Analyzed and designed data fields to be written on the Blockchain, developed IoT software, and integrated Blockchain functionality. Software update with the level of blank, baseline analysis, Summarize, evaluate, Project Close Out Report, and Project Close-Out Video.
• Outputs: Integration of IoT and Blockchain features into the POC-LAMP machine, enabling data storage and retrieval on the Blockchain. Updated software with additional features, a comprehensive project report, and a video showcasing the project's achievements and outcomes.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

The team:

The project team consists of three members, each with specific roles:

• Huynh Van Ngoc: Project Manager and POC-LAMP device developer. Huynh Van Ngoc is responsible for overseeing the entire project and managing timelines, budgets, and resources. As the POC-LAMP device developer, he leads the design, engineering, and manufacturing processes of the handheld Real-time LAMP machine. His expertise lies in medical device development and technology integration.
• Nguyen Van Hieu: Blockchain and IoT Developer. Nguyen Van Hieu specializes in Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. His role involves integrating IoT capabilities into the POC-LAMP machine to enable remote control and monitoring of operations. Additionally, he works on implementing Blockchain functionality for secure and transparent data storage, ensuring the immutability of test results.

Together, the project team collaborates to develop the POC-LAMP machine with integrated IoT and Blockchain technologies, working towards achieving the project's objectives and milestones. Their collective expertise and dedication drive the successful completion and realization of the handheld Real-time LAMP prototype.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Budget details here 

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

• Technological Advancement: The project aims to develop a handheld Real-time LAMP machine with IoT and Blockchain integration. By investing in cutting-edge technology, the Cardano ecosystem can stay at the forefront of innovation, fostering its reputation as a forward-thinking and technologically advanced blockchain platform.
• Enhanced Healthcare Capabilities: The POC-LAMP machine's real-time disease analysis and data integration with Blockchain can significantly improve disease detection and management. This technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses, leading to better treatment outcomes and reduced healthcare costs in the long run.
• Increased Adoption of Cardano: Successful implementation of this project can attract more stakeholders and users to the Cardano ecosystem. As the POC-LAMP machine gains recognition and trust in the medical community, it can act as a compelling use case for the practical application of Cardano's technology, encouraging further adoption and utilization of the platform.
• Potential Revenue Generation: If the POC-LAMP machine proves effective and reliable, there may be opportunities to commercialize the technology. Licensing agreements or partnerships with medical institutions could generate revenue for both the developers of the technology and the Cardano ecosystem.
• Positive Impact on Public Health: The POC-LAMP machine's ability to detect diseases rapidly and accurately can have a significant positive impact on public health. Timely identification and containment of outbreaks can save lives and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, ultimately reducing the economic burden on healthcare systems.
• Long-term Cost Savings: While the initial investment in the project may be substantial, the long-term benefits can outweigh the costs. Improved disease management and early detection can lead to cost savings in healthcare expenditures by reducing hospitalizations, treatments, and containment efforts during disease outbreaks.

Overall, the project's cost represents value for money by propelling Cardano's technological capabilities, fostering adoption, and potentially generating revenue, while also contributing to improved healthcare outcomes and long-term cost savings in public health.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept