We need you!

Want to help research to develop Point of Care (PoC) testing for infectious diseases?

What is PoC testing?

“Point-of-care” testing allows rapid diagnoses (<30 minutes) to inform immediate clinical care.

It can be used for health care workers, in clinics, hospitals, ambulances, homes, or in the field.

These PoC tests are critically needed in remote settings, especially in low-middle income countries, where people may need to travel great distances for healthcare.

ZiP Diagnostics PoC tests

At ZiP Diagnostics, we are developing a range of PoC diagnostic tests targeting the most widespread infectious diseases including:

Respiratory diseases (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, influenza, tuberculosis)
Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. chlamydia, gonorrhoea)
Viral hepatitis (e.g. hepatitis B, hepatitis C)
Mosquito-borne diseases (e.g. malaria)
Infectious viral diseases (e.g. monkeypox)

What your samples will be used for

Human samples are complex and may interfere with diagnostic tests.

In this study, samples such as swabs, blood and urine will be “spiked” with bacteria or viruses to evaluate and optimise new PoC tests.

Fresh samples are especially important in developing these tests, because PoC testing uses samples immediately to provide test results in less than 30 minutes.

This study is being led by Associate Professor Joe Sasadeusz and funded by ZiP Diagnostics. The study has been ethically approved by the Royal Melbourne Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee.

How to donate samples

Volunteer criteria: 18 years and over

Timeframe: Periodic donation over 12 months

Samples that we may ask for: Swabs (nasal, throat, vaginal, skin), saliva, urine, or blood (venous or fingerprick)

Where to donate: All samples are self-collected at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) or at your own home, except venous blood or finger-prick blood which will be collected by a research nurse at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Service (VIDS) Outpatient Clinic at the RMH.

*If you need to travel to these locations to participate, you will be reimbursed for parking costs (a RMH car park voucher) if travelling by car, or a Myki card if travelling by public transport.

On completion of your participation in the 12-month study, you will be given a $100 Coles-Myer gift voucher.

Interested? Click here to donate a sample!

Participant Information and Consent Form

Form to be completed after discussion with clinical trial team.