Read the public project record →
A cattle-health study tested VICA™ in field conditions to measure an inflammation marker associated with respiratory disease.
The project focused on haptoglobin, a protein that increases in response to inflammation. Researchers investigated whether a VICA prototype could measure it in a commercial feedlot and whether haptoglobin levels could help identify cattle needing treatment.
In two small pilot studies, VICA accurately measured haptoglobin in the feedlot. Sample handling took approximately three minutes, however, which was too slow for the cattle-handling workflow. Subsequent analysis moved into the laboratory, and the field experience informed a redesign of the sample-handling device.
The wider study sampled approximately 480 calves. Higher haptoglobin levels were associated with more severe respiratory disease, supporting further investigation of the marker’s usefulness in assessing cattle health.
Completed in August 2025, the project provided practical feedback on adapting VICA for use outside the laboratory.
Read the published research summary →
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Tell our team what you want to measure, the samples available and the conditions your research involves. We’ll discuss how VICA™ could support your study.