The award ceremony took place on Friday, October 27, at the Magazzino 26 of Porto Vecchio in the presence of the Dean of the University of Trieste and various authorities.

My D-test project aims to develop an innovative and easy-to-use diagnostic kit to detect any deficiency of the Complement System, the innate component of the immune system. This type of deficits render affected children more prone to catching infections (eg meningitis and pneumonia), which are more severe, persistent and frequent than in immunologically healthy individuals. Delayed recognition of these disorders is common due to failure to consider this diagnosis. In order to tackle this problem we developed My D-test, an initial screening test that should help to detect any deficiency as early as possible just from a minimal blood sample. The execution of the test is very simple and quick, providing the result within few minutes.

My D-test aimed to develop an easy-to-perform and innovative diagnostic tool to self-diagnose any potential defect of the innate immune system, disorders called primitive immune deficiencies (PI). PI are a group of chronic disorders in which part of the body’s immune system is missing or functions improperly. Because one of the most important functions of the normal immune system is to protect against infection, patients with PI commonly have an increased susceptibility to infections that manifest themselves in the most severe forms, persist for longer than usual and, in some cases, may have a fatal outcome. Unfortunately, these immunodeficiencies are usually late diagnosed, only when children’s health is already severely compromised. Currently, more than 175 different forms of immunodeficiency have been identified, and that number is still growing as advances in genetic technology allow for further identification of specific defects of immunity. Therefore it is estimated that over 300 will be identified by 2020. In 2005, the European Commission has given to “Primitive Immune deficiency” a prominent position in the Community program of Public Health. The priorities of the EU include the following issues: 1) to increase knowledge of the public opinion, health authorities and public health institutions; 2) to establish effective and accessible therapies; 3) to improve diagnostic tools for patients prompt recognition.

My D-test project has been designed to meet some of these needs.

My D-test team is composed by four highly-trained researchers who have been involved, for several years, in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the proper functioning of the immune system.

Dr. Roberta Bulla is the head of the team, a researcher and academic teacher of Immunology at the Department of Life Sciences, who coordinates the rest of the group formed by Dr. Paola Zacchi, researcher funded by the CRT Foundation, Dr. Chiara Agostinis, researcher at IRCCS Burlo Garofolo Infantile Hospital, and Dr. Fleur Bossi, researcher awarded of a "young researchers project" of the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo Announcement 2013 for clinical research.