Our Collaborators

Milton Keynes University Hospital

Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) has been instrumental in driving forward research into canine detection of prostate cancer.
As part of a collaborative NHS-backed study, MKUH provided vital clinical expertise, patient engagement, and facilitated the collection of essential samples. Their dedication to innovation and excellence in patient care has played a key role in advancing research into non-invasive, accurate diagnostic methods leveraging canine olfaction. 

The Open University

The Open University’s Animal-Computer Interaction Lab, led by Professor Clara Mancini, has developed interactive sensor-based technology to monitor how dogs interact with samples. This system captures data on the dogs’ responses, including emotional cues, which can be analyzed using machine learning to gain deeper insights into the disease markers the dogs detect. We are working alongside the OU to utilise this technology in a live trial, the first of its kind for Medical Detection Dogs.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has been a valued research partner in our mission to explore scent-based disease detection.
Led by Professor James Logan and supported by Arctech Innovation, LSHTM’s interdisciplinary team has played a pivotal role in two major studies—investigating canine detection of COVID-19 and malaria. Their expertise in volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, infectious disease diagnostics, and clinical trial design enabled the successful training and validation of bio-detection dogs, including identifying COVID-19 with up to 94.3% sensitivity. Their work also demonstrated that dogs can detect malaria infection through human odour, offering exciting potential for non-invasive diagnostics in global health.

Durham University

Durham University has been a key research partner in our work exploring canine detection of infectious diseases.
Led by Professor Steve Lindsay from the Department of Biosciences, Durham contributed essential expertise in public health, infectious disease modelling, and entomology across studies investigating COVID-19 and malaria. Their support in designing and validating rigorous trials helped demonstrate that trained bio-detection dogs can identify both diseases through body odour and worn clothing samples—even in asymptomatic individuals. This research highlights the potential of dogs as a rapid, non-invasive screening tool in global health.

RealNose.ai

We’re proud to collaborate with RealNose.ai in advancing non-invasive diagnostics for human disease.
Founded by Dr Andreas Mershin—an early and steadfast supporter of Medical Detection Dogs—RealNose.ai is leading the way in translating canine scent detection into scalable, AI-powered olfaction technologies. Their commitment to innovation and collaboration is helping shape the future of disease detection, making scent-based diagnostics more accessible, accurate, and deployable across both clinical and consumer settings.

We’re especially grateful to Dr Mershin for his long-standing belief in our mission and for championing the potential of bio-detection dogs from the very beginning. His support continues to inspire and drive progress in this exciting field.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

We are proud to partner with Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on our collaborative research study investigating canine detection of colorectal cancer. As clinical partner, Hull led participant recruitment, collected hundreds of samples, and delivered diagnostic validation, enabling the rigorous training and testing of our Cancer and Bio Detection Dogs. This collaboration reflects Hull’s dedication to pioneering research that improves early diagnosis and saves lives.

University of Manchester

In collaboration with The University of Manchester, we are advancing pioneering research into the early detection of Parkinson’s disease through our project, "Trained dogs can detect the odour of Parkinson's disease."
Led by Professor Perdita Barran, Professor of Mass Spectrometry at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, the Nose2Diagnose programme marks a major step forward in Parkinson’s research. By analysing skin compounds, this innovative study explores how trained dogs can identify the unique scent associated with the condition, offering hope for earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

With thanks to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust for their invaluable support in our pioneering research project "Training dogs to differentiate Pseudomonas aeruginosa from other cystic fibrosis bacterial pathogens: not to be sniffed at?". Thanks to the Trust’s funding and partnership through their Strategic Research Centre for Pseudomonas infection, we were able to advance this innovative work, including the collection of participant samples and the development of training protocols for our dogs. 

Imperial College

Our collaboration with Imperial College London is helping to push the boundaries of infection detection in cystic fibrosis.
The joint research project, "Training dogs to differentiate Pseudomonas aeruginosa from other cystic fibrosis bacterial pathogens: not to be sniffed at?", is led by Professor Jane Davies from the National Heart and Lung Institute. Imperial College provided the scientific leadership and microbiological expertise that made this pioneering study possible. We are especially grateful for their forward-thinking approach in exploring innovative, non-invasive methods to support people living with cystic fibrosis. Their dedication to advancing science and improving patient care continues to inspire and elevate our mission.

Royal Brompton Hospital

Royal Brompton Hospital played a vital role in supporting our research into infection detection for people with cystic fibrosis.
The collaborative project, "Training dogs to differentiate Pseudomonas aeruginosa from other cystic fibrosis bacterial pathogens: not to be sniffed at?", benefited greatly from the hospital’s expertise as a leading centre for cystic fibrosis care. The clinical team provided expert oversight and facilitated the collection of patient samples, which were essential for training our bio-detection dogs to identify Pseudomonas aeruginosa—a serious bacterial infection affecting people with cystic fibrosis. The generosity and involvement of their CF community allowed us to work with real-world samples, helping ensure our research reflects the complexities of everyday clinical scenarios.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Bits and Atoms

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) brings cutting-edge innovation to our research into scent-based diagnostics.
As part of a collaborative study on canine detection of prostate cancer, MIT’s pioneering work in sensor technologies and artificial olfaction systems has been instrumental in the early development of scalable, digital diagnostic tools. Their visionary approach is helping to shape the future of non-invasive disease detection. 

University of Texas El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has made a valuable contribution to our research into canine detection of prostate cancer.
Under the leadership of Dr Wen-Yee Lee and her team, UTEP provided advanced chemical analysis of urine samples, helping to identify volatile organic compounds and microbial markers associated with the disease. Their expertise has been instrumental in supporting the development of non-invasive diagnostic approaches using trained bio-detection dogs.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University has played a pivotal role in advancing our research into canine detection of prostate cancer.
With world-renowned expertise in clinical research and oncology, their team provided critical insights into the biological underpinnings of the disease and supported the validation of scent-based detection methods. Their involvement has been instrumental in bridging the gap between innovative detection technologies and clinical application, helping to ensure scientific rigor and meaningful translational impact.