LAMP ASSAY

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay amplifies nucleic acid by use of six primers and strand-displacing DNA polymerase which requires only a single temperature. This technology has significant advantage in being of high sensitivity, specificity, rapidity and robust to use in the field by non-specialised personal. The high sensitivity of LAMP enables detection of the pathogens in sample material without time-consuming preparation thus being able to detect pathogens within 30 min.

SHEEP

• Development of molecular detection methods of Bovicola ovis from sheep fleece

• Optimization of a Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for In-Field Detection of Dichelobacter nodosus With aprV2 (VDN LAMP) in Victorian Sheep Flocks

CATTLE

• Environmental detection of Fasciola hepatica by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

EQUINE

• Enhancement of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with guanidine hydrochloride for the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (Strangles)

• Development of a Rapid Surveillance System for Ross River Virus in Mosquitoes Through Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP)

HONEY BEES

• The development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to detect American foulbrood in managed honey bee populations

eDNA IN WATERWAYS

• In-field LAMP assay for rapid detection of human faecal contamination in environmental water

• Rapid and Cost-Effective Platypus eDNA Detection in Waterways Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay: Advancing Conservation Efforts

AQUACULTURE

• Development of LAMP assay for early detection of Yersinia ruckeri in aquaculture 

AQUACULTURE
Developing LAMP assays to detect pathogens affecting Australian aquaculture

Recently, there has been an increased demand for aquaculture animals over terrestrial meat due to growing awareness of their micronutrients and health benefits. However, pollution and intensive farming practices make these animals more vulnerable to diseases. The absence of effective vaccines and the risk of antibiotic resistance complicate the situation. To combat the spread of infections and prevent potential outbreaks, rapid pathogen detection is crucial. Most current methods rely heavily on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), requiring specialized equipment and expertise. In contrast, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) offers a more cost-effective and accessible alternative, utilizing heat blocks or portable real-time LAMP devices. We have developed two LAMP assays to detect low concentrations of Yersinia ruckeri and Vagococcus salmoninarum, both significant threats to the Atlantic salmon industry in Tasmania, contributing approximately AUD 1 billion annually to Australia's economy. Additionally, a sensitive LAMP assay for abalone herpesvirus has been created, addressing severe economic losses in Victorian abalone farms over the past two decades. These assays are optimized for non-lethal sampling and in-field extraction, allowing farm personnel to conduct rapid testing and facilitating efficient management and control measures.

PhD Student: Hoda Abbas

• Abbas, Hoda & Best, Nickala & Zerna, Gemma & Beddoe, Travis. (2025). Development of LAMP assay for early detection of Yersinia ruckeri in aquaculture. PeerJ. 13. e19015. 10.7717/peerj.19015. 

• Knox, A & Beddoe, T. (2024). Enhancement of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with guanidine hydrochloride for the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (Strangles). PeerJ. 12. e17955. 10.7717/peerj.17955.

• Khodaparast, M, Sharley, D, Marshall, S & Beddoe, T. (2024). Rapid and Cost‐Effective Platypus eDNA Detection in Waterways Using Loop‐Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay: Advancing Conservation Efforts. Environmental DNA. 6. 10.1002/edn3.70003.

• Khodaparast, Meysam & Sharley, Dave & Marshall, Stephen & Beddoe, Travis. (2024). Advances in point-of-care and molecular techniques to detect waterborne pathogens. npj Clean Water. 7. 10.1038/s41545-024-00368-9. 

• Ackerly, D, Tran, L & Beddoe, T. (2024). The development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to detect American foulbrood in managed honey bee populations. Apidologie. 55. 38. 10.1007/s13592-024-01080-w.

• Khodaparast, Meysam & Sharley, David & Marshall, Stephen & Beddoe, Travis. (2024). Rapid detection of viable Bacteroides in sewage-contaminated water using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Propidium Monoazide combined with Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay.. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. 10. 10.1039/D3EW00585B.