The molecular diagnostics team of the AIT Center for Health and Bioresources is significantly involved in the EU-funded MOBILISE project. The aim of the project is to intensify the fight against emerging infectious diseases with the help of a mobile One Health laboratory. Particularly due to climate change and rising temperatures, the transmission of arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) by mosquitoes and ticks is increasing in Europe.
MOBILISE will address this diagnostic challenge by developing a quality-assured, One Health mobile laboratory solution. This laboratory will analyze samples from humans, animals and the environment and provide a whole-genome sequencing platform for pathogen identification and epidemiological analysis.
In terms of sustainability, the lab will be built on an electric hybrid truck platform and powered by solar and wind energy to minimize CO2 emissions in line with the European Green Deal.
"Mobile laboratories such as MOBILISE have great potential to rapidly contain future outbreaks and provide decentralized diagnostics for border controls and quarantine areas. AIT's rapid tests are a crucial factor in this." says Johannes Peham, AIT Point-of-Care Expert.
AIT is taking the lead in developing the MOBILISE diagnostic portfolio and is working on rapid optical and electrochemical tests for WNV and CCHFV. These point-of-care tests can be read via smartphones using optical or NFC technology, enabling rapid and reliable analysis of highly infectious samples.
The MOBILISE project is being tested in collaboration with national authorities and first responders in Austria, Romania, Greece and Africa. It marks a significant step forward for an efficient response to disease outbreaks in Europe.
More Information: mobilise-lab.eu/