Dr Tina Joshi, Associate Professor in Molecular Biology and Finsen Tech.

R&D Solutions Fund case study

Efficacy of UV-C Technologies in Decontaminating Pathogenic Microorganisms

About the project

Dr Tina Joshi's interdisciplinary research is focused on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and the development of sustainable Molecular Diagnostics (using novel technologies) to help tackle the Global Healthcare Challenge of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR). Finsen Tech design and manufacture rapid infection prevention solutions using high-intensity UV-C within a fixed chamber to ensure the destruction of microorganisms within PPE materials and inanimate objects. Finsen Tech sought expert knowledge and support through Dr Tina Joshi’s specialist laboratory to validate the Zeus UVC system ready for the commercial market.

Introduction

We are facing a Global Healthcare Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and an impending issue in healthcare of transmission of microorganisms from PPE/surfaces to patients, where manual cleaning and the use of biocides are inadequate for decontamination. Dr Tina Joshi is an Associate Professor in Molecular Microbiology. Her interdisciplinary research is focused on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and the development of sustainable Molecular Diagnostics (using novel technologies) to help tackle AMR. Finsen Tech design and manufacture rapid infection prevention solutions using high-intensity UV-C within a fixed chamber to ensure the destruction of microorganisms within PPE materials and inanimate objects. Finsen Tech sought expert knowledge and support through Dr Tina Joshi’s research laboratory. They wanted to validate the efficacy of their Zeus UV-C system in decontamination processes as a rapid solution to AMR concerns.

Enterprise Solutions Enabled

A mobile app to help farmers with:

  • Research funding c£15K

  • Validation of the Zeus UV-C System for market readiness

  • White paperc.difficile UV-C Decontamination Results_TJOSHI UoP Feb 2021 (002)

Outcomes, impact and Reflection

Outcomes for the business partner

Dr Joshi's labs proved the efficacy of the Zeus in decontaminating a range of surfaces. The final disinfection report (WEB LINK?) enabled Finsen Tech Ltd to launch the Zeus UV-C System globally, generating income and increasing their reach into markets abroad and in the UK. https://www.finsentech.com/blog/zeus-product-launch

Outcomes for the academic and university

This was a key collaboration in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when infection control was a high global priority. This research project strengthened Dr Tina Joshi's reputation and profile and as a result, Dr Joshi’s disinfection expertise is being sought by other companies. The project also enabled a University of Plymouth MSc graduate to be employed as a research technician in Dr Joshi’s lab. This laboratory experience has enabled the technician to undertake a PhD in textile disinfection at De Montfort University. The study resulted in research that is being prepared for publication and will be used to inform disinfection policy locally in hospitals. Two publications associated with this work are also being produced- 1. C. difficile response to Zeus UVC disinfection, and 2. Disinfection of viruses from facemasks and PPE using the Zeus UVC product. The Joshi lab has a Zeus UVC machine in it, given in kind by Finsen Tech for future scientific studies. This equipment forms a valuable part of our research as we seek to understand infection control in clinical practice.

Unexpected outcomes

We undertook scanning electron microscopy which showed that the UV-C seemed to physically damage spores of C. difficile. This is a significant scientific finding that the Joshi group is now exploring

About Finsen Technologies

  • Established in 2015 Based in UK (London & Cambridge) & USA (Florida)

  • Expertise in ultraviolet light disinfection & disinfection technologies

  • Size: 10 employees

  • Provided a Zeus UV-C System in-kind to enable further research studies

"My experience of working with Enterprise Solutions has been fantastic. The team are supportive and willing to offer advice regarding business collaborations and new academic-business partnerships. The team have regularly supported me as an academic in key business meetings and always provides appropriate advice and solutions to enable the best possible outcomes for both the academic and commercial partners. The team are efficient, reliable and highly knowledgeable.”