Meet CadenceDx. Building technology for a fast, portable, low-cost cardiac troponin test for heart attack detection at the point of need. The TeamAlexandra Dobrea – with over 5 years’ experience in electrochemical biosensing, microfluidics and medical product design and development, Alex recently completed her PhD and currently works as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Strathclyde. Niamh Docherty - Niamh Docherty is a PhD student at the University of Strathclyde, specialising in assay development for heart attack diagnosis. Building on industry experience in food and feed diagnostics, her research now focuses on developing translatable point-of-care platforms that deliver innovative and accessible diagnostic tests. Alisdair Gordon - With expertise ranging across microfluidics, assay development and electrochemistry, Alisdair has over 5 years of industry experience in medical device development and has moved to translational work as a research associate at the University of Strathclyde. Daniel Macdonald - Experienced in immunoassay and molecular assay development, with particular interests in nanochemistry, surface chemistry and point-of-care diagnostic development. Damion Corrigan – LGC Professor in Measurement Science for Health and lead the Centre for Advanced Measurement Science and Health Translation with a core expertise in electrochemical sensing, analytical chemistry and device fabrication, Damion Corrigan is also the founding Director and Chief Scientific Officer of Aureum Diagnostics - a company developing a low-cost electrochemical diagnostic assay platform and a co-founder of and Chief Technology Officer for MicroplateDx, a company developing a novel method for selecting the best antibiotic to treat an infection. In recognition of the work done on translation and company formation, he was awarded Academic Entrepreneur of the Year for 2024 at the Praxis Auril Knowledge Exchange Awards. Melanie Jimenez - Dr Melanie Jimenez is a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow with over 10 years of expertise in microfluidic systems for medical and environmental applications and a strong track record in securing funding for fundamental and translational research. Problem Heart attacks cause 270+ daily UK admissions and cost £9 billion annually. Troponin testing (the major biomarker associated with heart attacks) is essential but often slow, costly, and reliant on lab equipment and trained staff-leading to delays, added pressure and increased patient risk. For those in remote areas, delays and costs rise further due to transport and access issues. Rapid, accessible testing is vital when every minute counts. SolutionBy providing a rapid and portable alternative, troponin tests can be performed at the point of need, kickstarting the care pathway required for heart attack patients before hospital arrival. The low-cost portable alternative we propose can transform AMI management, improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of AMI. We aim to deploy these devices in rural/remote communities, primary care centres and ambulances ensuring patients receive prompt care. Contact Alexandra Dobrea LinkedInNiamh Docherty This article was published on 2025-10-27
