Future Blood Testing: Challenges and Opportunities – Conference 2022 Summary and Outcomes

The Future Blood Testing: Challenges and Opportunities conference, held on September 13-14, 2022, brought together experts in digital health technologies to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the advancements in remote, rapid, affordable, and inclusive blood testing. This hybrid event took place at the University of Reading, with both physical and virtual attendees participating in a series of insightful sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities.

Key Highlights

• Launch of the Second Funding Call: Announced new funding opportunities for technical landscape reports and pilot projects.
• Collaborative Innovation Projects: Introduced a platform for delegates to pitch collaborative innovation project ideas.
• Discussions: Addressed the grand challenges and opportunities in transforming blood testing post-COVID-19.

Session Summaries

Day 1 – September 13, 2022

• Welcome and Overview by Prof Weizi (Vicky) Li (University of Reading)
• Session 1: Chaired Dr Robert Barker (University of Kent)
  • Transforming the UK’s diagnostics agenda by Prof Dimitris Grammatopoulos (University of Warwick)
  • Measuring platelet function for precision medicine by Prof Jon Gibbins (University of Reading)
  • Lab services for Web 3.0 by Dr Hector Zenil (University of Oxford & Oxford Immune Algorithmics)
• Session 2: Chaired by Prof Jeremy Frey (University of Southampton)
  • Remote blood monitoring for cancer patients by Beth Harvey (University of Reading)
  • Improving triaging from primary into secondary care by Bing Wang and Prof Weizi (Vicky) Li (University of Reading)
  • Unmet Clinical Needs in Blood Testing by Prof Bryant Lin and Dr. Kevin Chang (Stanford University)

• Session 3: Chaired by Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza (University of Reading)
  • Collaborative Innovation Project funding launch by Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza.
  • Pitch Presentations: Delegates introduced their expertise and collaboration interests.

Day 2 – September 14, 2022

• Welcome Back by Prof Weizi (Vicky) Li (University of Reading)
• Session 4: Chaired by Prof Serhiy Korposh (University of Nottingham)
  • Digital Solutions in Real World Clinics by Dr Antoni Chan (Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Microfluidic blood measurements by Dr Alexander Edwards (University of Reading)
• Session 5:
  • Panel Discussion on Future Blood Testing Challenges with key industry and academic experts.
  • Panel: Prof Neil Anderson, Dr Keith Arundale, Dr Antoni Chan, Dr Alexander Edwards, Prof Dimitris Grammatopoulos, Julie Hart
• Session 6: Chaired by Dr Mark Elliott (University of Warwick)
  • AI for Blood Cell Identification by Prof Huiyu Zhou (University of Leicester)
  • Precision Health and AI by Arjun Panesar (DDM Health)
• Session 7: Chaired by Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza (University of Reading) 
  • Pitch Presentations: Final pitches and group presentations on collaborative innovation project proposals.

Several innovative project pitches were presented by delegates, showcasing a wide range of expertise and collaborative interests. We extend our gratitude to all speakers and participants for their contributions to the success of this conference. Moving forward, the Future Blood Testing Network+ will continue to foster collaboration and innovation through upcoming events and funding support.