The Pandemic Institute (TPI) recently awarded funding across the partnership to employ key research or technical staff to carry out a range of pandemic preparedness projects and be ready to pivot to respond rapidly against any new threat that arises. In this post, Dr Caitlin Thompson shares her research to date, and plans for the future as a TPI Strategic Post.

Dr Caitlin Thompson

I began my post with The Pandemic Institute in June 2024 after completing a PhD looking at the development of rapid diagnostics for emerging infections such as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHV). Prior to this I also worked on bio-markers for sepsis, evaluation of meningitis vaccines, and the development and evaluation of novel point-of-care COVID diagnostics. 

Why is your work important?

New diseases are emerging all the time, so it’s important that we’re as prepared as possible with the techniques and research to rapidly develop new diagnostic tests. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is one of the world’s deadliest viruses. The majority of infections occur through tick bites and cases are found in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia, with a mortality rate of up to 40%. There’s no vaccine, and current diagnostic methods take days, delaying treatment and containment. To tackle this, I’ve developed a lateral flow test—similar to COVID-19 tests—that delivers results in just 30 minutes. This could save lives by enabling early detection and outbreak prevention.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Testing my prototype has taken me to Türkiye and we have also sent the test to our collaborators in Iraq. Both of these countries see high numbers of CCHF cases, so seeing the test work on real patient samples for the first time was a huge relief and incredibly fulfilling. Now, with support from The Pandemic Institute, we’re working on regulatory approvals to get the test into the field. I feel privileged to combine my passion for science with work that could make a real difference in global health.

What are you working on now?

In my post with The Pandemic Institute, I will be building on my expertise in developing lateral-flow diagnostic tests while expanding to include other high priority pathogens, such as Lassa virus and Rift Valley Fever virus. Both of these viruses can cause severe illness and death, and have no vaccines or treatments available. Developing rapid diagnostics for these pathogens will help prevent further transmission as people can be quickly isolated. I’m also excited for the opportunity to continue my work with Prof Gary Kobinger in the USA. Prof Kobinger is the Director of the Galveston National Laboratory, a Containment Level 4 Laboratory (CL4). These types of laboratories have the maximum level of features designed to keep workers safe whilst working on some of these viruses, and involves being completely suited up in a ‘space suit’! We currently don’t have any university led CL4 facilities in the UK, which is something that really delayed our work on the CCHF diagnostics.

You can read some of Caitlin’s published research here:  Development and evaluation of an antigen targeting lateral flow test for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever