University of Glasgow engineers lend support to calf pneumonia diagnosis project

Researchers from the University of Glasgow's James Watt School of Engineering are part of a new consortium which is developing the first commercial one-step rapid test for calf pneumonia. Global Access Diagnostics (GADx), a social enterprise prioritising equitable access to diagnostics and driving local manufacturing, today announced the development of RaDiCal, a one-step molecular lateral flow test to enable rapid diagnosis of pneumonia, one of the most significant diseases affecting calves. The test is being developed through a collaborative consortium, including representatives from the University of Surrey, University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, and Westpoint Farm Vets, to provide a low-cost platform to be used by vets or farmers on-farm. Pneumonia is one of the most significant diseases affecting calves, costing the UK cattle industry an estimated £50 million a year. Resulting from GADx's participation in a BBSRC Endemic Livestock Disease Priming Partnerships workshop and driven by challenges outlined by farmers, the consortium has combined expertise in microbiology, veterinary infectious disease and diagnostic test development to create RaDiCal. The test is a pioneering molecular lateral flow platform which can be linked to a mobile phone digital platform for easy interpretation of results, enabling farmers and vets to diagnose calves on-farm, and subsequently take rapid and informed action to facilitate improved disease management and support responsible antibiotic stewardship.