B-LiFE research and development activities in security (CBRN domain)

The primary objective of the CTMA’s work and development strategy is to develop and validate new methods for use within the B-LiFE RRML laboratory. The aim is then to improve detection and protection against infectious biological threats while advancing patient care through the evaluation of new therapeutic applications.

The B-LiFE centred work specifically entails:

– Developing its rapidly deployable, lightweight operational analytical capacity (B-LiFE) for rapid DNA-based field identification of life-threatening pathogens. Biological threats include natural spread and dissemination, accidental and intentional releases (security threats, CBRN threats) of biological agents.

– Developing the in-filed use of terrestrial (TETRA, LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi) and SatCom communications to deliver a multi-mission, multi-user nomadic, rapidly deployable telecommunication emergency node (TEN). In order to manage and share data efficiently and securely, a mobile laboratory requires an ICT toolbox called MIML LIMS (multi-institution, multi-mission, multi-laboratory LIMS). TEN allows the RRML to use MIML-LIMS regardless of the location of the laboratory and its remoteness (ref 8).

– Developing novel clinical DNA- and protein-based methods for the in-depth genomic characterization of viral and bacterial pathogens (phylogenetic, virulence and antibiotic resistance genotyping, and clonal microbiological forensic analysis).

– Developing rapid diagnostic tools, including point-of-care tests (POCT), rapid diagnostic tests, (RDT) and rapid monitoring tests for the accurate and sensitive detection, identification, and monitoring (DIM) of infectious agents. This include the development of a range of LAMP tests (Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification) against viral or bacterial targets. CTMA bridges the gap between fundamental research and routine diagnostic use by developing and integrating dual-use molecular and genetic diagnostic tools and methods in both clinical and operational civil-military applications. Every new innovation developed by CTMA is first evaluated on a range of representative human and environmental samples. In order to continuously assess the effectiveness of its detection techniques, UCLouvain-CTMA has actively participated in several CBRN mixed sample exercise and NATO SIBCRA exercises. Through its active participation in many European projects, it aims to develop and test cutting-edge new technologies for diagnostic use as well as biohazard monitoring and control (excimer laser, short range LIDAR).

– Developing camelid-antibody applications (nanobodies) for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Camelid-antibodies against a range of RNA (SARS-CoV-2,MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, dengue, yellow fever, zika, RSV, influenza A,) DNA viruses (monkeypox) and toxin (ricin) have been produced and are in the evaluation phase.

– Field effect (FET) biosensors and multiparametric and multiplex lateral flow assays both incorporate nanobodies. With teams from France and Morocco, CTMA is working on a number of pilot projects to characterise nanobodies’ serum neutralisation capacities in order to develop new therapeutic uses.

– Developing bioinformatics and high-throughput sequencing pipelines for use in mobile laboratories and rapid, sensitive, specific, affordable, user-friendly, equipment-free diagnostic techniques for emergency situations.

– Developing portable methods for monitoring the contamination inside the mobile laboratory (air sampling; monitoring of surface contamination using a short-range LIDAR (ref 15-16)), and for decontamination (portable device producing H2O2 in a controlled manner (ref 17 )).

– Using in-filed high-throughput sequencing (HTS) for differential diagnosis between endemic and epidemic pathogens in a mobile lab during an outbreak of infectious diseases where symptomatically identical pathogens can be assessed together (determination of the minimal viral regions required for virus identification and typing; creation of a respiratory viral pathogen whole genome database and development of a bioinformatic workflow for identifying genomic evolution and semi-automatic primer updating; development and validation of long viral targeted area (TA) amplification protocol combined with nanopore sequencing; development of an automated NGS data analysis workflow (Bioinformatic pipeline); pre-analytical steps optimization and adaptive sequencing). (ref- a-g).

– Training local staff and trainees in the use of new/emerging technologies for DNA and protein-based pathogen identification (e.g. monkeypox, Ebola, resistant tuberculosis, bacillus anthracis, food-borne contaminants…).