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Sustainable Health Symposium exhibitors

Student in the lab with a pipette

​The exhibition area will be open for delegates to explore during the lunchtime break and evening wine reception, in room LAB027.

Below are some of the exhibitors who will have stands to display their work at the event.

WaterScope

WaterScope are an impact driven company spun out of research conducted within the Department of Physics. Using an open-source flexure microscope, developed by Dr Richard Bowman, WaterScope are developing portable, automated water testing kits and affordable diagnostics to empower developing communities. In parallel their microscopes are being used for education, to inspire future scientists; WaterScope currently have over 10 microscopes around the world, including India, Tanzania and Columbia. Further, WaterScope’s open-source microscope is supporting local initiatives, with companies such as STIClab in Tanzania making medical microscopes from recycled plastic bottles.

OpenDiagnostics

OpenDiagnostics are developing a low-cost paper-based diagnostic platform technology for the surveillance of crop and livestock viral infections in low income countries, which if left undetected threaten food security and farmers’ livelihoods. The technology is based on recent advances in ‘cell-free’ synthetic biology, whereby genetic circuits embedded in paper can be designed to sense a viral sequence and generate a simple colour change in response. The Cambridge-based team has carried out market research, built partnerships in Africa and raised initial funds for proof-of-concept experiments. They are now focussed on prototyping.

CamSES

Governments, development agencies, and non-profit organizations have made significant investments in water infrastructure, yet water scarcity and contamination remain widespread in developing countries. This causes both socioeconomic and health burdens. Globally, waterborne diseases are a leading cause of death among children under five, killing more infants than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. CamSES aims to address these issues through its patented photocatalytic nanoparticles that enable unprecedentedly fast and effective water treatment using naturally available sunlight. This not only offers a new, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach to water treatment, but fits well with the developing world market because of low manufacturing costs, ease of use, independence from a power supply, and excellent potential to remove organic pollutants, toxins, and infectious agents. CamSES will help local businesses set up water purification and vending stores in water-stressed areas (initially in Tanzania). Vendors can use the filtration system to cost-effectively generate clean potable water. By expanding this solution, CamSES believes it can provide a real solution to water hygiene problems worldwide.

Cortirio

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in the under-40s. Over 15 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury every year and this number is increasing rapidly due to the rise in road traffic accidents. Effective treatment of traumatic brain injury requires imaging, but current technologies (CT and MRI) are expensive and static, meaning that they are unavailable to much of the world’s population. Cortirio are developing portable and low-cost brain imaging, enabling diagnosis to be done in any location. Cortirio are working with clinicians at the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and Newcastle University.