Research Projects

Water contamination with free-living amebae (FLA) such as Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba castellanii, and Balamuthia mandrillaris can lead to deadly human pathogens, such as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), and corneal infection (Acanthamoeba keratitis). The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns about these pathogens, with Naegleria fowleri having a mortality rate of over 97%. These pathogens are poorly studied for identification, infection, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes. The proposed technology aims to develop a point-of-care detection system for rapid, accurate, and low-cost detection of FLA from patients and water bodies. The system uses a multiplex-recombinase polymerase amplification system and strip-based lateral flow detention. Regular checking and safety certification of recreational water bodies can help prevent infection. Preventative measures are crucial, as there is no available drug to treat these pathogens.