Handheld device offers lab-quality diagnostic testing

July 23, 2024
11:28 am

Because of its high accuracy, laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is the gold standard for infectious disease diagnostics. However, PCR technology requires highly trained staff and costly equipment, hindering its availability, especially in low-resource settings. New research suggests a different kind of test could be more streamlined without sacrificing performance

A platform technology developed by researchers at the University of Connecticut uses similar techniques as PCR testing, but within a handheld device rather than several benchtop machines.

In a study published in Advanced Science, the authors found that the tool could detect two viruses, HIV and SARS-CoV-2, at a similar level of performance as PCR testing. With advantages of cost, speed, and portability over traditional methods, the new technology could make powerful diagnostics for infectious disease more widespread.

Handheld device offers lab-quality diagnostic testing

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