The instrument, described in a study published in Communications Engineering, was shown in lab experiments to quickly and accurately test for a genetic condition called hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, which can cause heart problems.

The disease is caused by a genetic mutation in the transthyretin gene. This mutation can lead to heart failure, especially in people of West African ancestry. Detecting this mutation early is important because there are treatments available.

“Traditional genetic tests can take days or weeks to give results, which isn’t ideal for quick diagnosis,” said Mehdi Javanmard, a professor and Paul S. & Mary W. Monroe Endowed Faculty Scholar with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Rutgers School of Engineering. “This research aims to develop a faster, cheaper and easier test that can be done during a regular doctor’s visit.”