LightDeck Diagnostics
Boulder, CO, USA
Greg Lewis
Senior Scientist
LightDeck Diagnostics believes in a new approach to healthcare, where quick and accurate diagnostic tests will be run wherever and whenever they are needed. The company's proprietary LightDeck® platform combines an advanced laser waveguide with novel materials and patented manufacturing techniques to deliver lab-quality results anywhere, in minutes.
The LightDeck platform is achieving success in veterinary diagnostics and environmental testing. LightDeck is also developing a portfolio of in vitro diagnostic panels. The company is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is recognized as Colorado BioScience Association's Company of the Year, 2021.
Cleveland Water Alliance met LightDeck years before this test when presenting in a session on IAGLR on “Innovative Water Technologies.” In 2021, Bowling Green State University was working on a NOAA MERHAB grant in collaboration with Ohio Sea Grant and Volunteer Science Groups. They identified LightDeck as a promising candidate for the possibility of monitoring water chemistry in the field.
Cleveland Water Alliance supported the testing of these monitoring devices through their Testbed Program and connection with the Lake Erie Volunteer Science Network.
"The Great Lakes region is perfect for what we tried to do! LightDeck is based in Boulder, Colorado, and we do get some harmful algae blooms here in the region, but really it's not to the same extent as the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes region has such a diverse aquatic environment."
- Greg Lewis
Senior Scientist at LightDeck Diagnostics
LightDeck Portable Device for Toxin Testing with Volunteer Science Groups
Portable Device for Quantitative multiplex test for harmful algae bloom toxins used by volunteer science networks across the region.
Cleveland Water AllianceGreat Lakes One Water PartnershipNOAA/NCCOS MERHAB NA19NOS4780190g
Summer 2021
LightDeck Diagnostics developed an innovative portable system to rapidly detect and quantify multiple harmful freshwater algae bloom toxins. They piloted their technology through a collaboration with Cleveland Water Alliance and used feedback from the Alliance's Lake Erie Volunteer Science Network. Over 150 water samples were tested, providing input to enhance field portability and workflow. The complexity of blooms in Lake Erie made it the perfect testbed. Quantitatively detecting key toxins like microcystin and cylindrospermopsin within 10 minutes enabled rapid public health response and remediation. The work focused on expanding the detectable toxins, with a goal of developing a triplex assay in 2023 and fourplex in 2024, while also developing additional contaminant tests like for PFAS. Through partnerships and real-world pilots, LightDeck aimed to provide an easy-to-use solution for regular water quality monitoring and early warning of toxin risks.
“I think Lake Erie and the Great Lakes region is a perfect location for monitoring because of how complex and diverse the the ecosystem is. Additionally, the sheer number of partners in the Area – between Cleveland Water Alliance the Volunteer Science Network, and all the universities in the area being so involved – makes it a great opportunity for this type of testing.”
- Greg Lewis
Senior Scientist at LightDeck Diagnostics
In a collaboration between LightDeck Diagnostics and members of the Lake Erie Volunteer Science Network (LEVSN) to pilot test LightDeck's portable system for detecting harmful freshwater algae bloom toxins, the goal was to evaluate the usability and suitability of the system for volunteer monitoring groups.
LightDeck system uses fluorescence detection to quantitatively measure microcystin and cylindrospermopsin toxins in water in about 10 minutes
Pilot conducted with 4 LEVSN member groups who collected and tested over 150 natural water samples in Lake Erie region in summer 2021
Simultaneous comparison study conducted with NOAA via MERHAB program using improved "CJ" assay cartridges showing adequate correlation with reference lab testing
Overall ease of use and rapid results were praised, while portability and need to manually lyse cells were identified as areas for improvement
After initial training, LEVSN groups required no further tech support demonstrating ease of use
User feedback was very positive regarding simplicity of workflow and fast time-to-result
Toxin measurements from improved CJ cartridges aligned well with ELISA reference testing
Opportunities identified to enhance field portability and develop integrated cell lysis capability
LightDeck system shows promise for equipping volunteer monitoring groups to quantitatively track algae toxins
While the system met the needs for volunteer testing, it identified areas for improvement. The tech had various limitations that were effectively identified by the volunteer groups’ feedback. This technology has not been validated, but continued research and testing will further evaluate accuracy and refine the user experience.
This project got four volunteer monitoring groups collecting samples that were used and monitored alongside BGSU and Ohio SEAGrant in a legitimate, large-scale, federally-funded research project.
This project gave volunteer science groups a first look at and exposure to new, cutting-edge technology.
This project allowed an emerging technology creator to meet real people where they are and provided practical end-user feedback (market research, focus group)
If this technology is developed and validated, this device would be incredibly impactful because this technology is usually very expensive.
This device is an exploration of lower-cost sensing options
This project supports the market in trying to fill a gap: the need for inexpensive, portable water monitoring devices
“Working with the Citizen Scientists is really the ideal group for us to be working with. We're very focused on the science, and we want to make sure from a technical perspective that everything is working great and that's why we have all of our collaborators at these academic universities, but ultimately, the goal of this product is to be put in the hands of everyday users and people that are actually monitoring and managing these water systems."
- Greg Lewis
Senior Scientist at LightDeck Diagnostics
In this edition of the CWA Innovator Showcase Series, Greg Lewis, Senior Scientist at LightDeck Diagnostics, a biotechnology research company, will present on their quantitative multiplex test for harmful algae bloom toxins used by volunteer science networks across the region. Panelist: Greg Lewis - Senior Scientist, LightDeck Diagnostics Greg Lewis leads LightDeck’s environmental testing group in the development and commercialization of new diagnostic technologies. His team is currently developing novel diagnostic assays for freshwater algal toxins, marine algal toxins, commercial shellfish safety, and microplastics in drinking water. Greg holds his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State University and has an extensive background in assay development, working for a range of start-up companies in the diagnostic and biopharmaceutical industries.
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