Future Blood Testing Network Plus Workshop 2023: Summary and Outcomes

The Future Blood Testing Network Plus workshop, held on November 7th-8th, 2023 at Leonardo Hotel Southampton, brought together a multi-disciplinary community to develop digital health technologies for remote, rapid, affordable, and inclusive monitoring and personalized analytics. This two-day event featured speakers who discussed the future of healthcare, remote blood testing, monitoring, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Key Highlights

• Keynote Speakers: Engaging talks from industry leaders and academic experts.
• Innovative Discussions: Facilitated engaging discussions on the latest advancements and future trends in remote blood testing and AI.
• Networking Opportunities: Provided a platform for attendees to connect, fostering collaborations and knowledge sharing.
• Research Showcase: Highlighted cutting-edge research and developments in blood testing technologies.

Session Summaries

Day 1 – November 7th, 2o23

Session 1: Landscape of Future Blood Testing – Chaired by Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza (University of Southampton)

• Future Blood Testing Network+ Overview and Recap by Professor Weizi (Vicky) Li (University of Reading)
• Remote Testing & AI – What’s Coming Next – Mr. Frank Khan Sullivan (Enhanced Fertility)
• Landscape of Future Blood Testing in Healthcare Practice – Professor Dimitris Grammatopoulos (University of Warwick)

Session 2: Network Funded Projects – Chaired by Prof. Weizi (Vicky) Li (University of Reading)

• Multi-modal Deep Learning for Biomarker Identification – Dr Heba Sailem (Kings College London)
• AI-Driven Mapping of Disease Trajectories – Dr. Fayyaz Minhas & Prof. Dimitris Grammatopoulos (University of Warwick)
• Development of an Implantable Device for Continuous Blood Monitoring – Dr Chenyang He (University of Nottingham)
• Blood Microfluidics for Point of Care Diagnostics – Prof Stavroula Balabani (UCL)
• Raman Spectroscopy for Remote Blood Testing – Dr Donna Arnold
• Wearable Otological Measurement of Blood Analytes (WOMBA) – Dr Peter J. Christopher

Session 3: Adoption & Design for the Future of Digital Healthcare & Diagnostics

• Information Design in Medical Testing – Prof. Sue Walker (University of Reading)
• Round Table Discussion on Design, Data, NHS Adoption, and Commercialisation
  • Design: Prof. Sue Walker (University of Reading)
  • Data: Prof. Age Chapman (University of Southampton)
  • NHS Adoption: Dr. Mamta Bajre (Oxford Academic Health Science Network)
  • Commercialisation: Assoc. Prof. Alexander Edwards (University of Southampton)

Day 2 – November 8th, 2o23

Session 4: Future Blood Testing Research – Chaired by Dr Mark Elliott (University of Warwick)

• Translating Blood Tests from the Academic Lab to the Clinical Setting – Dr Martin Peacock (Zimmer and Peacock Ltd)
• An Immune Score Based on Longitudinal Blood Testing – Dr Hector Zenil (Oxford Immune Algorithmics)
• Detection of Drugs and Biomarkers using Optical Fiber Sensors – Prof Serhiy Korposh (University of Nottingham)
• Squishing Biology to Advance Healthcare: From Saliva to Blood – Dr Robert Barker (University of Kent)

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.