Kerstin Geillinger-Kaestle and Alastair Taylor at BBCon 2023

00:00 Development of a Novel Method for Analysing Volatile Organic Compounds from Intubated Mice.
27:00 Q&A session

Talk Abstract:

As part of their research into ILD (interstial lung disease) Boehringer Ingleheim wanted to look at breath VOC’s from intubated mice. In collaboration with Owlstone a new methodology was created that adapted the Flexivent™ intubation system to collect mouse VOC’s and subsequently run the samples through the standard Owlstone OMNI™ workflow. Initial data demonstrates that on-breath compounds can be identified in the mouse breath and that there is significant overlap with compounds found on human breath.

This methodology could be used in Drug Development, or applied to other intubated animal models, expediating the identification of reliable VOC biomarkers at the pre-clinical stage.

Speaker Biographies:

Meet Kerstin:

Kerstin’s academic journey is a testament to her passion for scientific discovery. She earned her diploma in molecular biology from 2002 to 2007 and furthered her expertise with a diploma in biomedical sciences from 2004 to 2007. In 2012, she achieved a significant milestone by obtaining her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Following her doctoral studies, Kerstin delved into the realm of research, serving as a dedicated postdoctoral scientist in biochemistry and molecular biology from 2012 to 2015. Her commitment and expertise propelled her to the role of Principal Scientist in Respiratory Research from 2018 to 2020. Kerstin’s unwavering dedication to advancing scientific knowledge led her to her current position as the Associate Director of Respiratory Research since 2023, where she continues to make significant contributions to the field.

Meet Alastair, Owlstone Fellow:

Alastair joined Owlstone in 2006, leading the commercialization of chemical detectors for industrial applications. Under his guidance, Owlstone launched its first CE marked product, the Lonestar VOC Analyzer. Between 2007 and 2015, he held pivotal roles, overseeing product development in Industrial, Defence, Scientific, and Medical sectors. Alastair managed the Product Realisation Process for all commercially available products. Now an Owlstone Fellow, he provides technical expertise, ensuring design choices align with short and long-term goals and regulatory requirements. He explores emerging technologies for breath biopsy applications. Alastair holds an M’Eng from The University of Cambridge.