Imperial College London

Dr Michael Crone

Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Infectious Disease

Visiting Researcher
 
 
 
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Contact

 

m.crone Website

 
 
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Location

 

Sir Alexander Fleming BuildingSouth Kensington Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Publication Type
Year
to

30 results found

Crone MA, Hakki S, Fenn J, Zhou J, Rosadas de Oliveira C, Madon KJ, Koycheva A, Badhan A, Jonnerby J, Nevin S, Conibear E, Derelle R, Varro R, Luca C, Ahmad S, Zambon M, Barclay W, Dunning J, Freemont PS, Taylor GP, Ajit Let al., 2024, Rapid emergence of transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants in mild community cases, Microbiology Spectrum, ISSN: 2165-0497

Journal article

Capstick A, Palermo F, Zakka K, Fletcher-Lloyd N, Walsh C, Cui T, Kouchaki S, Jackson R, Tran M, Crone M, Jensen K, Freemont P, Vaidyanathan R, Kolanko M, True J, Daniels S, Wingfield D, Nilforooshan R, Barnaghi Pet al., 2024, Digital remote monitoring for screening and early detection of urinary tract infections, npj Digital Medicine, Vol: 7, ISSN: 2398-6352

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in older adults and a significant contributor to unplanned hospital admissions in People Living with Dementia (PLWD), with early detection being crucial due to the predicament of reporting symptoms and limited help-seeking behaviour. The most common diagnostic tool is urine sample analysis, which can be time-consuming and is only employed where UTI clinical suspicion exists. In this method development and proof-of-concept study, participants living with dementia were monitored via low-cost devices in the home that passively measure activity, sleep, and nocturnal physiology. Using 27828 person-days of remote monitoring data (from 117 participants), we engineered features representing symptoms used for diagnosing a UTI. We then evaluate explainable machine learning techniques in passively calculating UTI risk and perform stratification on scores to support clinical translation and allow control over the balance between alert rate and sensitivity and specificity. The proposed UTI algorithm achieves a sensitivity of 65.3% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 64.3–66.2) and specificity of 70.9% (68.6–73.1) when predicting UTIs on unseen participants and after risk stratification, a sensitivity of 74.7% (67.9–81.5) and specificity of 87.9% (85.0–90.9). In addition, feature importance methods reveal that the largest contributions to the predictions were bathroom visit statistics, night-time respiratory rate, and the number of previous UTI events, aligning with the literature. Our machine learning method alerts clinicians of UTI risk in subjects, enabling earlier detection and enhanced screening when considering treatment.

Journal article

Ren R, Cai S, Fang X, Wang X, Zhang Z, Damiani M, Hudlerova C, Rosa A, Hope J, Cook NJ, Gorelkin P, Erofeev A, Novak P, Badhan A, Crone M, Freemont P, Taylor GP, Tang L, Edwards C, Shevchuk A, Cherepanov P, Luo Z, Tan W, Korchev Y, Ivanov AP, Edel JBet al., 2023, Multiplexed detection of viral antigen and RNA using nanopore sensing and encoded molecular probes, Nature Communications, Vol: 14, ISSN: 2041-1723

We report on single-molecule nanopore sensing combined with position-encoded DNA molecular probes, with chemistry tuned to simultaneously identify various antigen proteins and multiple RNA gene fragments of SARS-CoV-2 with high sensitivity and selectivity. We show that this sensing strategy can directly detect spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins in unprocessed human saliva. Moreover, our approach enables the identification of RNA fragments from patient samples using nasal/throat swabs, enabling the identification of critical mutations such as D614G, G446S, or Y144del among viral variants. In particular, it can detect and discriminate between SARS-CoV-2 lineages of wild-type B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.539 (Omicron) within a single measurement without the need for nucleic acid sequencing. The sensing strategy of the molecular probes is easily adaptable to other viral targets and diseases and can be expanded depending on the application required.

Journal article

Parkinson M, Doherty R, Curtis F, Soreq E, Lai HHL, Serban A-I, Dani M, Fertleman M, Barnaghi PJ, Sharp DM, Li Let al., 2023, Using home monitoring technology to study the effects of traumatic brain injury in older multimorbid adults, Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, Vol: 10, Pages: 1688-1694, ISSN: 2328-9503

Internet of things (IOT) based in-home monitoring systems can passively collect high temporal resolution data in the community, offering valuable insight into the impact of health conditions on patients' day-to-day lives. We used this technology to monitor activity and sleep patterns in older adults recently discharged after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The demographics of TBI are changing, and it is now a leading cause of hospitalisation in older adults. However, research in this population is minimal. We present three cases, showcasing the potential of in-home monitoring systems in understanding and managing early recovery in older adults following TBI.

Journal article

Ramlaul K, Feng Z, Canavan C, de Martin Garrido N, Carreno D, Crone M, Jensen K, Li B, Barnett H, Riglar D, Freemont P, Miller D, Aylett Cet al., 2023, A 3D-printed flow-cell for on-grid purification of electron microscopy samples directly from lysate, Journal of Structural Biology, Vol: 215, Pages: 1-12, ISSN: 1047-8477

While recent advances in cryo-EM, coupled with single particle analysis, have thepotential to allow structure determination in a near-native state from vanishingly few individualparticles, this vision has yet to be realised in practise. Requirements for particle numbers thatcurrently far exceed the theoretical lower limits, challenges with the practicalities of achievinghigh concentrations for difficult-to-produce samples, and inadequate sample-dependent imagingconditions, all result in significant bottlenecks preventing routine structure determination usingcryo-EM. Therefore, considerable efforts are being made to circumvent these bottlenecks bydeveloping affinity purification of samples on-grid; at once obviating the need to produce largeamounts of protein, as well as more directly controlling the variable, and sample-dependent,process of grid preparation.In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate a further practical step towards thisparadigm, developing a 3D-printable flow-cell device to allow on-grid affinity purification fromraw inputs such as whole cell lysates, using graphene oxide-based affinity grids. Our flow-celldevice can be interfaced directly with routinely-used laboratory equipment such as liquidchromatographs, or peristaltic pumps, fitted with standard chromatographic (1/16”) connectors,and can be used to allow binding of samples to affinity grids in a controlled environment priorto the extensive washing required to remove impurities. Furthermore, by designing a devicewhich can be 3D printed and coupled to routinely used laboratory equipment, we hope toincrease the accessibility of the techniques presented herein to researchers working towardssingle-particle macromolecular structures.

Journal article

Derqui N, Koycheva A, Zhou J, Pillay TD, Crone MA, Hakki S, Fenn J, Kundu R, Varro R, Conibear E, Madon KJ, Barnett JL, Houston H, Singanayagam A, Narean JS, Tolosa-Wright MR, Mosscrop L, Rosadas C, Watber P, Anderson C, Parker E, Freemont PS, Ferguson NM, Zambon M, McClure MO, Tedder R, Barclay WS, Dunning J, Taylor GP, Lalvani A, INSTINCT and ATACCC study groupet al., 2023, Risk factors and vectors for SARS-CoV-2 household transmission: a prospective, longitudinal cohort study, The Lancet Microbe, Vol: 4, Pages: e397-e408, ISSN: 2666-5247

BACKGROUND: Despite circumstantial evidence for aerosol and fomite spread of SARS-CoV-2, empirical data linking either pathway with transmission are scarce. Here we aimed to assess whether the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on frequently-touched surfaces and residents' hands was a predictor of SARS-CoV-2 household transmission. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, during the pre-alpha (September to December, 2020) and alpha (B.1.1.7; December, 2020, to April, 2021) SARS-CoV-2 variant waves, we prospectively recruited contacts from households exposed to newly diagnosed COVID-19 primary cases, in London, UK. To maximally capture transmission events, contacts were recruited regardless of symptom status and serially tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR on upper respiratory tract (URT) samples and, in a subcohort, by serial serology. Contacts' hands, primary cases' hands, and frequently-touched surface-samples from communal areas were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 URT isolates from 25 primary case-contact pairs underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS). FINDINGS: From Aug 1, 2020, until March 31, 2021, 620 contacts of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected primary cases were recruited. 414 household contacts (from 279 households) with available serial URT PCR results were analysed in the full household contacts' cohort, and of those, 134 contacts with available longitudinal serology data and not vaccinated pre-enrolment were analysed in the serology subcohort. Household infection rate was 28·4% (95% CI 20·8-37·5) for pre-alpha-exposed contacts and 51·8% (42·5-61·0) for alpha-exposed contacts (p=0·0047). Primary cases' URT RNA viral load did not correlate with transmission, but was associated with detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on their hands (p=0·031). SARS-CoV-2 detected on primary cases' hands, in turn, predicted contacts' risk of infection (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=1·70 [95% CI 1·24-2·3

Journal article

Pona MJ, Al-Mufti J, Madona P, Crone MA, Lain KG, Hale RS, Muir D, Randell Pet al., 2023, Mpox infection investigation using multiplexed syndromic diagnostics: Evaluation of an AusDiagnostics multiplexed tandem PCR (MT-PCR) syndromic panel, JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY PLUS, Vol: 3, ISSN: 2667-0380

Journal article

Yip HM, Cheng S, Olson EJ, Crone M, Maerkl SJet al., 2023, Perfect adaptation achieved by transport limitations governs the inorganic phosphate response in <i>S : cerevisiae</i>, PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Vol: 120, ISSN: 0027-8424

Journal article

Crone MA, Freemont PS, 2022, Simple low-cost production of DNA MS2 virus-like particles as molecular diagnostic controls, GEN Biotechnology, Vol: 1, Pages: 496-503, ISSN: 2768-1556

Suitable controls are integral for the validation and continued quality assurance of diagnostic workflows. Plasmids, DNA, or in vitro transcribed RNA are often used to validate novel diagnostic workflows, however, they are poorly representative of clinical samples. RNA phage virus-like particles (VLPs) packaged with exogenous RNA have been used in clinical diagnostics as workflow controls, serving as surrogates for infectious viral particles. Comparable controls for DNA viruses are more challenging to produce, with analogous DNA phages being infectious and packaging of DNA within RNA phages requiring complex purification procedures and expensive chemical linkers. We present a simple and inexpensive method to produce Emesvirus zinderi (MS2) VLPs, packaged with DNA, that makes use of affinity chromatography for purification and enzymatic production of exogenous DNA suitable for packaging. The produced VLPs were packaged with hepatitis B virus DNA and were then quantified using droplet digital PCR and calibrated against the WHO international standard using a commercial assay in an accredited clinical laboratory.

Journal article

Patchsung M, Homchan A, Aphicho K, Suraritdechachai S, Wanitchanon T, Pattama A, Sappakhaw K, Meesawat P, Wongsatit T, Athipanyasilp A, Jantarug K, Athipanyasilp N, Buahom J, Visanpattanasin S, Niljianskul N, Chaiyen P, Tinikul R, Wichukchinda N, Mahasirimongkol S, Sirijatuphat R, Angkasekwinai N, Crone MA, Freemont PS, Joung J, Ladha A, Abudayyeh O, Gootenberg J, Zhang F, Chewapreecha C, Chanarat S, Horthongkham N, Pakotiprapha D, Uttamapinant Cet al., 2022, A multiplexed Cas13-based assay with point-of-care attributes for simultaneous COVID-19 diagnosis and variant surveillance, The CRISPR Journal, Vol: 6, Pages: 1-17, ISSN: 2573-1599

Point-of-care (POC) nucleic acid detection technologies are poised to aid gold-standard technologies in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, yet shortcomings in the capability to perform critically needed complex detection—such as multiplexed detection for viral variant surveillance—may limit their widespread adoption. Herein, we developed a robust multiplexed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based detection using LwaCas13a and PsmCas13b to simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and pinpoint the causative SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC)—including globally dominant VOCs Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529)—all the while maintaining high levels of accuracy upon the detection of multiple SARS-CoV-2 gene targets. The platform has several attributes suitable for POC use: premixed, freeze-dried reagents for easy use and storage; convenient direct-to-eye or smartphone-based readouts; and a one-pot variant of the multiplexed detection. To reduce reliance on proprietary reagents and enable sustainable use of such a technology in low- and middle-income countries, we locally produced and formulated our own recombinase polymerase amplification reaction and demonstrated its equivalent efficiency to commercial counterparts. Our tool—CRISPR-based detection for simultaneous COVID-19 diagnosis and variant surveillance that can be locally manufactured—may enable sustainable use of CRISPR diagnostics technologies for COVID-19 and other diseases in POC settings.

Journal article

Cordery R, Reeves L, Zhou J, Rowan A, Watber P, Rosadas C, Crone M, Storch M, Freemont P, Mosscrop L, Cowley A, Zelent G, Bisset K, Le Blond H, Regmi S, Buckingham C, Junaideen R, Abdulla N, Eliahoo J, Mindlin M, Lamagni T, Barclay W, Taylor GP, Sriskandan Set al., 2022, Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children to contacts in schools and households: a prospective cohort and environmental sampling study in London, The Lancet Microbe, Vol: 3, Pages: e814-e823, ISSN: 2666-5247

Background: Assessing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children in schools is of critical importance to inform public health action. We assessed frequency of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 by contacts of pupils with COVID-19 in schools and households, and quantified SARS-CoV-2 shed into air and onto fomites in both settings.Methods: Incidents involving exposure to at least one index pupil with COVID-19 in 8 schools were identified between October 2020-July 2021 (prevailing variants, original, alpha and delta). Weekly PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 was undertaken on immediate classroom contacts (the “bubble”), non-bubble school contacts, and household contacts of index pupils, supported by genome sequencing, and on surface and air samples from school and home environments.Findings: Secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in 28 bubble contacts, representing 10 bubble classes (participation rate 8.8%, IQR 4.6-15.3%). Across 8 non-bubble classes, 3/62 pupils tested positive but these were unrelated to the original index case (participation rate 22.5%, IQR 9.7-32.3%). All three were asymptomatic and tested positive in one setting on the same day. In contrast, secondary transmission to previously-negative household contacts from infected index pupils was 17.1% (6/35) rising to 27.7% (13/47) when considering all potentialinfections in household contacts. Environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 was rare in schools; fomite SARS-CoV-2 was identified in 4/189 (2.1%) samples in bubble classrooms, 2/127 (1.6%) samples in non-bubble classrooms, and 5/130 (3.8%) samples in washrooms. This contrasted with fomites in households, where SARS-CoV-2 was identified in 60/248 (24.2%) bedroom samples, 66/241 (27.4%) communal room samples, and 21/188 (11.2%) bathroom samples. Air sampling identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA in just 1/68 (1.5%) of school air samples, compared with 21/85 (24.7%) of air samples taken in homes.Interpretation: There was no evidence of large scale SARS-Co

Journal article

Hakki S, Zhou J, Jonnerby J, Singanayagam A, Barnett JL, Madon KJ, Koycheva A, Kelly C, Houston H, Nevin S, Fenn J, Kundu R, Crone MA, Pillay TD, Ahmad S, Derqui-Fernandez N, Conibear E, Freemont PS, Taylor GP, Ferguson N, Zambon M, Barclay WS, Dunning J, Lalvani A, ATACCC study investigatorset al., 2022, Onset and window of SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness and temporal correlation with symptom onset: a prospective, longitudinal, community cohort study, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Vol: 10, Pages: 1061-1073, ISSN: 2213-2600

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the window of SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness is crucial in developing policies to curb transmission. Mathematical modelling based on scarce empirical evidence and key assumptions has driven isolation and testing policy, but real-world data are needed. We aimed to characterise infectiousness across the full course of infection in a real-world community setting. METHODS: The Assessment of Transmission and Contagiousness of COVID-19 in Contacts (ATACCC) study was a UK prospective, longitudinal, community cohort of contacts of newly diagnosed, PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 index cases. Household and non-household exposed contacts aged 5 years or older were eligible for recruitment if they could provide informed consent and agree to self-swabbing of the upper respiratory tract. The primary objective was to define the window of SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness and its temporal correlation with symptom onset. We quantified viral RNA load by RT-PCR and infectious viral shedding by enumerating cultivable virus daily across the course of infection. Participants completed a daily diary to track the emergence of symptoms. Outcomes were assessed with empirical data and a phenomenological Bayesian hierarchical model. FINDINGS: Between Sept 13, 2020, and March 31, 2021, we enrolled 393 contacts from 327 households (the SARS-CoV-2 pre-alpha and alpha variant waves); and between May 24, 2021, and Oct 28, 2021, we enrolled 345 contacts from 215 households (the delta variant wave). 173 of these 738 contacts were PCR positive for more than one timepoint, 57 of which were at the start of infection and comprised the final study population. The onset and end of infectious viral shedding were captured in 42 cases and the median duration of infectiousness was 5 (IQR 3-7) days. Although 24 (63%) of 38 cases had PCR-detectable virus before symptom onset, only seven (20%) of 35 shed infectious virus presymptomatically. Symptom onset was a median of 3 days before both peak viral RNA and

Journal article

Mercer T, Almond N, Crone MA, Chain PSG, Deshpande A, Eveleigh D, Freemont P, Fuchs S, Garlick R, Huggett J, Kammel M, Li P-E, Milavec M, Marlowe EM, O'Sullivan DM, Page M, Pestano GA, Suliman S, Simen B, Sninsky JJ, Sopchak L, Tato CM, Vallone PM, Vandesompele J, White TJ, Zeichhardt H, Salit Met al., 2022, The Coronavirus Standards Working Group's roadmap for improved population testing, NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY, Vol: 40, Pages: 1563-1568, ISSN: 1087-0156

Journal article

Crone M, MacDonald J, Freemont P, Siciliano Vet al., 2022, gDesigner: computational design of synthetic gRNAs for Cas12a-based transcriptional repression in mammalian cells, npj Systems Biology and Applications, Vol: 8, Pages: 1-7, ISSN: 2056-7189

Synthetic networks require complex intertwined genetic regulation often relying on transcriptional activation or repression of target genes. CRISPRi-based transcription factors facilitate the programmable modulation of endogenous or synthetic promoter activity and can be aided by using software to select appropriate gRNAs and limit non-specific gene modulation. Here, we develop a computational software pipeline, gDesigner, that enables the automated selection of orthogonal gRNAs with minimized off-target effects and promoter crosstalk. We next engineered a Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cas12a (dLbCas12a)-based repression system that downregulates target gene expression by means of steric hindrance of the cognate promoter. Finally, we generated a library of orthogonal synthetic dCas12a-repressed promoters and experimentally demonstrated it in HEK293FT, U2OS and H1299 cells lines. Our system expands the toolkit of mammalian synthetic promoters with a new complementary and orthogonal CRISPRi-based system, ultimately enabling the design of synthetic promoter libraries for multiplex gene perturbation that facilitate the understanding of complex cellular phenotypes.

Journal article

Crone MA, Freemont PS, 2022, Simple, low-cost production of DNA MS2 virus-like particles as molecular diagnostic controls

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Suitable controls are integral for the validation and continued quality assurance of diagnostic workflows. Plasmids, DNA or <jats:italic>in vitro</jats:italic> transcribed RNA are often used to validate novel diagnostic workflows, however, they are poorly representative of clinical samples. RNA phage virus-like particles packaged with exogenous RNA have been used in clinical diagnostics as workflow controls, serving as surrogates for infectious viral particles. Comparable controls for DNA viruses are more challenging to produce, with analogous DNA phages being infectious and packaging of DNA within RNA phages requiring complex purification procedures and expensive chemical linkers. We present a simple and inexpensive method to produce MS2 virus-like particles, packaged with DNA, that makes use of affinity chromatography for purification and enzymatic production of exogenous DNA suitable for packaging. The produced virus-like particles were packaged with Hepatitis B Virus DNA and were then quantified using droplet digital PCR and calibrated against the WHO international standard using a commercial assay in an accredited clinical laboratory.</jats:p>

Journal article

Yip HM, Cheng S, Olson EJ, Crone M, Maerkl SJet al., 2022, Perfect adaptation achieved by transport limitations governs the inorganic phosphate response in S. cerevisiae

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Cells cope with and adapt to ever-changing environmental conditions. Sophisticated regulatory networks allow cells to adjust to these fluctuating environments. One such archetypal system is the<jats:italic>S. cerevisiae</jats:italic>Pho regulon. When external inorganic phosphate (<jats:italic>P<jats:sub>i</jats:sub></jats:italic>) concentration is low, the Pho regulon activates, expressing genes that scavenge external and internal<jats:italic>P<jats:sub>i</jats:sub></jats:italic>. However, the precise mechanism controlling this regulon remains elusive. We conducted a systems analysis of the Pho regulon on the single cell level under well-controlled environmental conditions. This analysis identified a robust, perfectly adapted Pho regulon state in intermediate<jats:italic>P<jats:sub>i</jats:sub></jats:italic>conditions, and we discovered a hitherto unknown intermediate nuclear localization state of the transcriptional master regulator Pho4p. The existence of an intermediate nuclear Pho4p state unifies and resolves outstanding incongruities associated with the Pho regulon, explains the observed programmatic states of the Pho regulon, and improves our general understanding of how nature evolves and controls sophisticated gene regulatory networks. We further propose that robustness and perfect adaptation are not achieved through complex network-centric control, but by simple transport biophysics. The ubiquity of multi-transporter systems suggests that similar mechanisms could govern the function of other regulatory networks as well.</jats:p>

Journal article

Gil Rosa B, Akingbade OE, Guo X, Gonzalez-Macia L, Crone MA, Cameron LP, Freemont P, Choy K-L, Güder F, Yeatman E, Sharp DJ, Li Bet al., 2022, Multiplexed immunosensors for point-of-care diagnostic applications, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Vol: 203, ISSN: 0956-5663

Accurate, reliable, and cost-effective immunosensors are clinically important for the early diagnosis and monitoring of progressive diseases, and multiplexed sensing is a promising strategy for the next generation of diagnostics. This strategy allows for the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple biomarkers with significantly enhanced reproducibility and reliability, whilst requiring smaller sample volumes, fewer materials, and shorter average analysis time for individual biomarkers than individual tests. In this opinionated review, we compare different techniques for the development of multiplexed immunosensors. We review the state-of-the-art approaches in the field of multiplexed immunosensors using electrical, electrochemical, and optical methods. The barriers that prevent translating this sensing strategy into clinics are outlined together with the potential solutions. We also share our vision on how multiplexed immunosensors will continue their evolution in the coming years.

Journal article

Singanayagam A, Hakki S, Dunning J, Madon KJ, Crone MA, Koycheva A, Derqui-Fernandez N, Barnett JL, Whitfield MG, Varro R, Charlett A, Kundu R, Fenn J, Cutajar J, Quinn V, Conibear E, Barclay W, Freemont PS, Taylor GP, Ahmad S, Zambon M, Ferguson NM, Lalvani A, ATACCC Study Investigatorset al., 2022, Community transmission and viral load kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the UK: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study., The Lancet. Infectious diseases, Vol: 22, Pages: 183-195, ISSN: 1473-3099

<h4>Background</h4>The SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant is highly transmissible and spreading globally, including in populations with high vaccination rates. We aimed to investigate transmission and viral load kinetics in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with mild delta variant infection in the community.<h4>Methods</h4>Between Sept 13, 2020, and Sept 15, 2021, 602 community contacts (identified via the UK contract-tracing system) of 471 UK COVID-19 index cases were recruited to the Assessment of Transmission and Contagiousness of COVID-19 in Contacts cohort study and contributed 8145 upper respiratory tract samples from daily sampling for up to 20 days. Household and non-household exposed contacts aged 5 years or older were eligible for recruitment if they could provide informed consent and agree to self-swabbing of the upper respiratory tract. We analysed transmission risk by vaccination status for 231 contacts exposed to 162 epidemiologically linked delta variant-infected index cases. We compared viral load trajectories from fully vaccinated individuals with delta infection (n=29) with unvaccinated individuals with delta (n=16), alpha (B.1.1.7; n=39), and pre-alpha (n=49) infections. Primary outcomes for the epidemiological analysis were to assess the secondary attack rate (SAR) in household contacts stratified by contact vaccination status and the index cases' vaccination status. Primary outcomes for the viral load kinetics analysis were to detect differences in the peak viral load, viral growth rate, and viral decline rate between participants according to SARS-CoV-2 variant and vaccination status.<h4>Findings</h4>The SAR in household contacts exposed to the delta variant was 25% (95% CI 18-33) for fully vaccinated individuals compared with 38% (24-53) in unvaccinated individuals. The median time between second vaccine dose and study recruitment in fully vaccinated contacts was longer for infected individuals (medi

Journal article

Lalvani A, Hakki S, Singanayagam A, Dunning J, Barnett JL, Crone MA, Freemont PS, Ferguson NMet al., 2022, Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 among fully vaccinated individuals reply, LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Vol: 22, Pages: 18-19, ISSN: 1473-3099

Journal article

Han P, Go MK, Chow JY, Xue B, Lim YP, Crone MA, Storch M, Freemont PS, Yew WSet al., 2021, A high-throughput pipeline for scalable kit-free RNA extraction, Scientific Reports, Vol: 11, Pages: 1-10, ISSN: 2045-2322

An overreliance on commercial, kit-based RNA extraction in the molecular diagnoses of infectious disease presents a challenge in the event of supply chain disruptions and can potentially hinder testing capacity in times of need. In this study, we adapted a well-established, robust TRIzol-based RNA extraction protocol into a high-throughput format through miniaturization and automation. The workflow was validated by RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection to illustrate its scalability without interference to downstream diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy. This semi-automated, kit-free approach offers a versatile alternative to prevailing integrated solid-phase RNA extraction proprietary systems, with the added advantage of improved cost-effectiveness for high volume acquisition of quality RNA whether for use in clinical diagnoses or for diverse molecular applications.

Journal article

Mercer T, Almond N, Chain P, Crone M, Deshpande A, Eveleigh D, Freemont P, Fuchs S, Garlick R, Huggett J, Kammel M, Li P-E, Milavec M, Marlowe E, OSullivan D, Page M, Pestano G, Suliman S, Simen B, Sninsky J, Sopchak L, Tato C, Vandesompele J, Vallone P, White T, Zeichhardt H, Salit M, mistake Net al., 2021, A roadmap to better COVID-19 testing from the Coronavirus Standards Working Group

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Testing has been central to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the accuracy of testing relies on standards, including reference materials, proficiency testing schemes, and information and reporting guidelines. The use of standards is a simple, inexpensive, and effective method to ensure reliable test results that inform clinical and public health decisions. Here we describe the central role of standards during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they have enabled population-scale screening, genomic surveillance and measures of immune protection measures. Given these benefits, the Coronavirus Standards Working Group (CSWG) was formed to coordinate standards in SARS-CoV-2 testing. This network of scientists has developed best-practices, reference materials, and conducted proficiency studies to harmonize laboratory performance. We propose that this coordinated development of standards should be prioritized as a key early step in the public health response to future pandemics that is necessary for reliable, large-scale testing for infectious disease.</jats:p>

Journal article

Crone M, Randell P, Herm Z, Anand A, Missaghian-Cully S, Perelman L, Pantelidis P, Freemont Pet al., 2021, Rapid design and implementation of an adaptive pooling workflow for SARS-CoV-2 testing in an NHS diagnostic laboratory: a proof-of-concept study, Wellcome Open Research, Vol: 6, Pages: 1-13, ISSN: 2398-502X

Background: Diagnostic laboratories are currently required to provide routine testing of asymptomatic staff and patients as a part of their clinical screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, these cohorts display very different disease prevalence from symptomatic individuals and testing capacity for asymptomatic screening is often limited. Group testing is frequently proposed as a possible solution to address this; however, proposals neglect the technical and operational feasibility of implementation in a front-line diagnostic laboratory.Methods: Between October and December 2020, as a seven-week proof of concept, we took into account scientific, technical and operational feasibility to design and implement an adaptive pooling strategy in an NHS diagnostic laboratory in London (UK). We assessed the impact of pooling on analytical sensitivity and modelled the impact of prevalence on pooling strategy. We then considered the operational constraints to model the potential gains in capacity and the requirements for additional staff and infrastructure. Finally, we developed a LIMS-agnostic laboratory automation workflow and software solution and tested the technical feasibility of our adaptive pooling workflow.Results: First, we determined the analytical sensitivity of the implemented SARS-CoV-2 assay to be 250 copies/mL. We then determined that, in a setting with limited analyser capacity, the testing capacity could be increased by two-fold with pooling, however, in a setting with limited reagents, this could rise to a five-fold increase. These capacity increases could be realized with modest additional resource and staffing requirements whilst utilizing up to 76% fewer plastic consumables and 90% fewer reagents. Finally, we successfully implemented a plate-based pooling workflow and tested 920 patient samples using the reagents that would usually be required to process just 222 samples.Conclusions: Adaptive pooled testing is a scientifically, technically and operatio

Journal article

Rowan AG, May P, Badhan A, Herrera C, Watber P, Penn R, Crone MA, Storch M, Garson JA, McClure M, Freemont PS, Madona P, Randell P, Taylor GPet al., 2021, Optimized protocol for a quantitative SARS-CoV-2 duplex RT-qPCR assay with internal human sample sufficiency control., Journal of Virological Methods, Vol: 294, Pages: 1-7, ISSN: 0166-0934

There is growing evidence that measurement of SARS-CoV-2 viral copy number can inform clinical and public health management of SARS-CoV-2 carriers and COVID-19 patients. Here we show that quantification of SARS-CoV-2 is feasible in a clinical setting, using a duplex RT-qPCR assay which targets both the E gene (Charité assay) and a human RNA transcript, RNase P (CDC assay) as an internal sample sufficiency control. Samples in which RNase P is not amplified indicate that sample degradation has occurred, PCR inhibitors are present, RNA extraction has failed or swabbing technique was insufficient. This important internal control reveals that 2.4% of nasopharyngeal swabs (15/618 samples) are inadequate for SARS-CoV-2 testing which, if not identified, could result in false negative results. We show that our assay is linear across at least 7 logs and is highly reproducible, enabling the conversion of Cq values to viral copy numbers using a standard curve. Furthermore, the SARS-CoV-2 copy number was independent of the RNase P copy number indicating that the per-swab viral copy number is not dependent on sampling- further allowing comparisons between samples. The ability to quantify SARS-CoV-2 viral copy number will provide an important opportunity for viral burden-guided public health and clinical decision making.

Journal article

Guerra-Assunção JA, Randell PA, Boshier FAT, Crone MA, Pang J, Mahungu T, Freemont PS, Breuer Jet al., 2021, Reliability of Spike Gene Target Failure for ascertaining SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 prevalence in a hospital setting

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in the UK in late 2020, associated with faster transmission, sparked the need to find effective ways to monitor its spread. The set of mutations that characterise this lineage include a deletion in position 69 and 70 of the spike protein, which is known to be associated with Spike Gene Target Failure (SGTF) in a commonly used three gene diagnostic qPCR assay. The lower cost and faster turnaround times compared to whole genome sequencing make the use of qPCR for monitoring of the variant spread an attractive proposition. However, there are several potential issues with this approach. Here we use 826 SARS-CoV-2 samples collected in a hospital setting as part of the Hospital Onset COVID Infection (HOCI) study where qPCR was used for viral detection, followed by whole genome sequencing (WGS), to identify the factors to consider when using SGTF to infer lineage B.1.1.7 prevalence in a hospital setting, with potential implications for locations where this variant has recently been introduced.</jats:p>

Journal article

Cordery R, Reeves L, Zhou J, Rowan A, Watber P, Rosadas C, Crone M, Storch M, Freemont P, Mosscrop L, Cowley A, Zelent G, Bisset K, Blond HL, Regmi S, Buckingham C, Junaideen R, Abdulla N, Eliahoo J, Mindlin M, Lamagni T, Barclay W, Taylor GP, Sriskandan Set al., 2021, Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children to contacts in schools and households: a prospective cohort and environmental sampling study in London

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Assessing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children in schools is of critical importance to inform public health action. We assessed frequency of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 by contacts of children with COVID-19 in schools and households, as well as the amount of virus shed into the air and onto fomites in both settings.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Cases of COVID-19 in children in London schools were identified via notification. Weekly sampling for 3-4 weeks and PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 of immediate classroom contacts (the “bubble”), non-bubble school contacts, and household contacts was undertaken supported by genome sequencing, along with surface and air sampling in the school and home environment.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Within schools, secondary transmission was not detected in 28 individual bubble contacts, representing 10 distinct bubble classes. Across 8 non-bubble classes, 3/62 pupils tested positive– all three were asymptomatic and tested positive in one setting on the same day, unrelated to the original index case. In contrast, the secondary attack rate in naïve household contacts was 14.3% (5/35) rising to 19.1% (9/47) when considering all household contacts. Environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 was rare in schools, regardless of school type; fomite SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified in 4/189 (2.1%) samples in bubble classrooms, 2/127 (1.6%) samples in non-bubble classrooms, and 5/130 (3.8%) samples in washrooms. This contrasted with fomites in households, where SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified in 60/248 (24.2%) bedroom samples, 66/241 (27.4%) communal room samples, and 21/188 (11.2%) bathroom samples. Air sampling identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA in just 1/68 (1.5%) o

Journal article

Crone MA, Priestman M, Ciechonska M, Jensen K, Sharp DJ, Anand A, Randell P, Storch M, Freemont PSet al., 2020, A role for Biofoundries in rapid development and validation of automated SARS-CoV-2 clinical diagnostics (vol 11, 4464, 2020), NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, Vol: 11, ISSN: 2041-1723

Journal article

Crone M, Priestman M, Ciechonska M, Jensen K, Sharp D, Anand A, Randell P, Storch M, Freemont Pet al., 2020, A role for Biofoundries in rapid development and validation of automated SARS-CoV-2 clinical diagnostics, Nature Communications, Vol: 11, Pages: 1-11, ISSN: 2041-1723

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown how a rapid rise in demand for patient and community sample testing can quickly overwhelm testing capability globally. With most diagnostic infrastructure dependent on specialized instruments, their exclusive reagent supplies quickly become bottlenecks, creating an urgent need for approaches to boost testing capacity. We address this challenge by refocusing the London Biofoundry onto the development of alternative testing pipelines. Here, we present a reagent-agnostic automated SARS-CoV-2 testing platform that can be quickly deployed and scaled. Using an in-house-generated, open-source, MS2-virus-like particle (VLP) SARS-CoV-2 standard, we validate RNA extraction and RT-qPCR workflows as well as two detection assays based on CRISPR-Cas13a and RT-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). In collaboration with an NHS diagnostic testing lab, we report the performance of the overall workflow and detection of SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples using RT-qPCR, CRISPR-Cas13a, and RT-LAMP. The validated RNA extraction and RT-qPCR platform has been installed in NHS diagnostic labs, increasing testing capacity by 1000 samples per day.

Journal article

Graham N, Junghans C, Downes R, Sendall C, Lai H, McKirdy A, Elliott P, Howard R, Wingfield D, Priestman M, Ciechonska M, Cameron L, Storch M, Crone MA, Freemont PS, Randell P, McLaren R, Lang N, Ladhani S, Sanderson F, Sharp DJet al., 2020, SARS-CoV-2 infection, clinical features and outcome of COVID-19 in United Kingdom nursing homes, Journal of Infection, Vol: 81, Pages: 411-419, ISSN: 0163-4453

OBJECTIVES: To understand SARS-Co-V-2 infection and transmission in UK nursing homes in order to develop preventive strategies for protecting the frail elderly residents. METHODS: An outbreak investigation involving 394 residents and 70 staff, was carried out in 4 nursing homes affected by COVID-19 outbreaks in central London. Two point-prevalence surveys were performed one week apart where residents underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing and had relevant symptoms documented. Asymptomatic staff from three of the four homes were also offered SARS-CoV-2 testing. RESULTS: Overall, 26% (95% CI 22 to 31) of residents died over the two-month period. All-cause mortality increased by 203% (95% CI 70 to 336) compared with previous years. Systematic testing identified 40% (95% CI 35 to 46) of residents as positive for SARS-CoV-2, and of these 43% (95% CI 34 to 52) were asymptomatic and 18% (95% CI 11 to 24) had only atypical symptoms; 4% (95% CI -1 to 9) of asymptomatic staff also tested positive. CONCLUSIONS: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in four UK nursing homes was associated with very high infection and mortality rates. Many residents developed either atypical or no discernible symptoms. A number of asymptomatic staff members also tested positive, suggesting a role for regular screening of both residents and staff in mitigating future outbreaks.

Journal article

Kopniczky MB, Canavan C, McClymont DW, Crone MA, Suckling L, Goetzmann B, Siciliano V, MacDonald JT, Jensen K, Freemont PSet al., 2020, Cell-free protein synthesis as a prototyping platform for mammalian synthetic biology, ACS Synthetic Biology, Vol: 9, Pages: 144-156, ISSN: 2161-5063

The field of mammalian synthetic biology is expanding quickly, and technologies for engineering large synthetic gene circuits are increasingly accessible. However, for mammalian cell engineering, traditional tissue culture methods are slow and cumbersome, and are not suited for high-throughput characterization measurements. Here we have utilized mammalian cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) assays using HeLa cell extracts and liquid handling automation as an alternative to tissue culture and flow cytometry-based measurements. Our CFPS assays take a few hours, and we have established optimized protocols for small-volume reactions using automated acoustic liquid handling technology. As a proof-of-concept, we characterized diverse types of genetic regulation in CFPS, including T7 constitutive promoter variants, internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES) constitutive translation-initiation sequence variants, CRISPR/dCas9-mediated transcription repression, and L7Ae-mediated translation repression. Our data shows simple regulatory elements for use in mammalian cells can be quickly prototyped in a CFPS model system.

Journal article

de Martín Garrido N, Crone MA, Ramlaul K, Simpson PA, Freemont PS, Aylett CHSet al., 2020, Bacteriophage MS2 displays unreported capsid variability assembling T = 4 and mixed capsids, Molecular Microbiology, Vol: 113, Pages: 143-152, ISSN: 0950-382X

Bacteriophage MS2 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus encapsulated in an asymmetric T = 3 pseudo-icosahedral capsid. It infects Escherichia coli through the F-pilus, which it binds through a maturation protein incorporated into its capsid. Cryogenic electron microscopy has previously shown that its genome is highly ordered within virions, and that it regulates the assembly process of the capsid. In this study we have assembled recombinant MS2 capsids with non-genomic RNA containing the capsid incorporation sequence, and investigated the structures formed, revealing that T = 3, T = 4 and mixed capsids between these two triangulation numbers are generated, and resolving structures of T = 3 and T = 4 capsids to 4 Å and 6 Å respectively. We conclude that the basic MS2 capsid can form a mix of T = 3 and T = 4 structures, supporting a role for the ordered genome in favouring the formation of functional T = 3 virions.

Journal article

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