• Popular
    • Medicine
    • Radiology
    • Cardiology
    • Surgery
    • Nanomedicine
    • Military Medicine
    • Rehab
  • Categories
    • Exclusive
    • A-D
      • Anesthesiology
      • Art
      • Cardiac Surgery
      • Cardiology
      • Critical Care
      • Dentistry
      • Dermatology
      • Diagnostics
    • E-I
      • Emergency Medicine
      • ENT
      • Genetics
      • Geriatrics
      • GI
      • Informatics
    • M-N
      • Medicine
      • Military Medicine
      • Nanomedicine
      • Net News
      • Neurology
      • Neurosurgery
      • Nuclear Medicine
    • O-P
      • Ob/Gyn
      • Oncology
      • Ophthalmology
      • Orthopedic Surgery
      • Pathology
      • Pediatrics
      • Plastic Surgery
      • Psychiatry
      • Public Health
    • R-V
      • Radiation Oncology
      • Radiology
      • Rehab
      • Reproductive Medicine
      • Space Medicine
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Thoracic Surgery
      • Urology
      • Vascular Surgery
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Submit PR
  • About
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
  • Submit PR
  • Log in
Medgadget
Medgadget
  • Popular
    • Medicine
      Levels Is Making Metabolism and Blood Glucose Tracking Accessible To Everyone

      Levels Is Making Metabolism and Blood Glucose Tracking Accessible To Everyone

      CRISPR Combined with Glowing Proteins for Viral Detection

      CRISPR Combined with Glowing Proteins for Viral Detection

      Biomimetic Construct Models Burn Injuries

      Biomimetic Construct Models Burn Injuries

      Moving Cells Using Ultrasound

      Moving Cells Using Ultrasound

    • Radiology
      Imaging Technique Reveals Contraction Patterns During Labor

      Imaging Technique Reveals Contraction Patterns During Labor

      Moving Cells Using Ultrasound

      Moving Cells Using Ultrasound

      Ultrasound Catheter to Treat Hypertension

      Ultrasound Catheter to Treat Hypertension

      Antibacterial Smart Sutures Visible in CT Scans

      Antibacterial Smart Sutures Visible in CT Scans

    • Cardiology
      Scientists Grow Electrodes Inside The Body

      Scientists Grow Electrodes Inside The Body

      Patient-Specific Soft Robotic Heart Replicas for Treatment Planning

      Patient-Specific Soft Robotic Heart Replicas for Treatment Planning

      Tiny Patch for Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging

      Tiny Patch for Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging

      Belt Monitors Heart Failure Patients

      Belt Monitors Heart Failure Patients

    • Surgery
      Biomimetic Construct Models Burn Injuries

      Biomimetic Construct Models Burn Injuries

      Exclusive Look at HandX Robotic-Assisted Surgical Device from Human Xtensions

      Exclusive Look at HandX Robotic-Assisted Surgical Device from Human Xtensions

      Self-Assembling Peptides as a Bioink

      Self-Assembling Peptides as a Bioink

      3D Bioengineered Skin Grafts Fit Complex Anatomy

      3D Bioengineered Skin Grafts Fit Complex Anatomy

    • Nanomedicine
      Bottlebrush Particle for Synergistic Drug Combinations

      Bottlebrush Particle for Synergistic Drug Combinations

      Extra Hot Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy

      Extra Hot Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy

      Making Tumors Tastier for the Immune System

      Making Tumors Tastier for the Immune System

      Improved Membrane Coating for Anti-Cancer Nanoparticles

      Improved Membrane Coating for Anti-Cancer Nanoparticles

    • Military Medicine
      Device Measures Hemoglobin More Accurately in Dark Skin

      Device Measures Hemoglobin More Accurately in Dark Skin

      Fingertip Sensor Measures Lithium Levels in Sweat

      Fingertip Sensor Measures Lithium Levels in Sweat

      Fabric Makes Electricity from Movement to Power Wearables

      Fabric Makes Electricity from Movement to Power Wearables

      Wearable Uses Microneedles to Track Metabolism

      Wearable Uses Microneedles to Track Metabolism

    • Rehab
      Empowering Stroke Survivors: Interview with Kirsten Carroll, CEO at Kandu Health

      Empowering Stroke Survivors: Interview with Kirsten Carroll, CEO at Kandu Health

      Smart Walking Stick for Visually Impaired People

      Smart Walking Stick for Visually Impaired People

      Implantable Device Adheres to Muscle, Treats Atrophy

      Implantable Device Adheres to Muscle, Treats Atrophy

      Non-Invasive Spinal Modulation for Cerebral Palsy

      Non-Invasive Spinal Modulation for Cerebral Palsy

  • Categories
    • Exclusive
    • A-D
      • Anesthesiology
      • Art
      • Cardiac Surgery
      • Cardiology
      • Critical Care
      • Dentistry
      • Dermatology
      • Diagnostics
    • E-I
      • Emergency Medicine
      • ENT
      • Genetics
      • Geriatrics
      • GI
      • Informatics
    • M-N
      • Medicine
      • Military Medicine
      • Nanomedicine
      • Net News
      • Neurology
      • Neurosurgery
      • Nuclear Medicine
    • O-P
      • Ob/Gyn
      • Oncology
      • Ophthalmology
      • Orthopedic Surgery
      • Pathology
      • Pediatrics
      • Plastic Surgery
      • Psychiatry
      • Public Health
    • R-V
      • Radiation Oncology
      • Radiology
      • Rehab
      • Reproductive Medicine
      • Space Medicine
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Thoracic Surgery
      • Urology
      • Vascular Surgery
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Submit PR
  • About
  • Log in
  • Submit PR
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Microfluidic Test for Viral Antibodies Takes Just 20 Minutes

May 27th, 2020 Conn Hastings Diagnostics, Materials, Medicine, Public Health

Researchers at Hokkaido University in Japan have developed a microfluidic test that can detect antibodies against a viral infection. So far, the test has been optimized to detect avian flu, but could be adapted to detect antibodies against the virus causing COVID-19. The device can provide a result in as little as 20 minutes and requires only 2 microliters of serum to run.

Antibody tests have been proposed as a way to determine how many people have been exposed to COVID-19, and may help us to understand how far the virus has spread. Given that many infected people are asymptomatic, they may never be recorded as infected, limiting our knowledge of infection levels and hampering the response to the pandemic.

However, testing random samples of people using antibody tests could help researchers to gain more knowledge in the fight against COVID-19. Such tests may also potentially be useful in determining who may have immunity against the virus, although it is not yet clear if the presence of antibodies against the virus causing COVID-19 indicates effective immunity.

Existing techniques to assess if an antibody is in the blood often rely on a visual assessment to determine whether a result is positive. This means that the accuracy is limited, as interpreting results is subject to human error. To address this, these researchers have developed a new type of microfluidic test, which is based on binding a fluorescently labelled protein to the antibody of interest in a serum sample.

The technique involves detecting the fluorescence polarization of the bound fluorescent molecules, and liquid crystal molecules are used to control the direction of this polarization. Once the sample is within the microfluidic device, it is then attached to a portable fluorescence polarization analyzer, weighing only 5.5 kg, which can measure the fluorescence signal and indicate if the antibody is present in the sample.

The researchers mix the serum sample with the fluorescent reagent and then allow it to rest for 15 minutes before loading it into the microfluidic device. They then attach the microfluidic device to the portable fluorescence polarization analyzer to obtain a reading. The entire process takes only 20 minutes, and such devices could help to speed up and streamline community testing for antibodies related to COVID-19, and allow for testing outside of medical labs.

“Our analyzer could be used to conduct other bio tests if suitable reagents are developed,” said Manabu Tokeshi, a researcher involved in the study. “By reproducing fragments of spike proteins expressed in the novel coronavirus, and using them as the reagent, the analyzer should be able to detect anti-coronavirus antibodies.”

Study in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical: Rapid detection of anti-H5 avian influenza virus antibody by fluorescence polarization immunoassay using a portable fluorescence polarization analyzer

Via: Hokkaido University

Conn Hastings

Conn Hastings received a PhD from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for his work in drug delivery, investigating the potential of injectable hydrogels to deliver cells, drugs and nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. After achieving his PhD and completing a year of postdoctoral research, Conn pursued a career in academic publishing, before becoming a full-time science writer and editor, combining his experience within the biomedical sciences with his passion for written communication.

Sponsored
Venture builder BHV Partners launches Conus Airway to improve anaesthesia  and respiratory surgery

Venture builder BHV Partners launches Conus Airway to improve anaesthesia and respiratory surgery

FDA Expands Indications for Use of FibroScan® for Comprehensive Liver Management

FDA Expands Indications for Use of FibroScan® for Comprehensive Liver Management

machineMD and Varjo revolutionize the diagnosis of brain disorders with a VR-based eye-tracking solution 

machineMD and Varjo revolutionize the diagnosis of brain disorders with a VR-based eye-tracking solution 

Ax-Surgi Hemostat gets FDA Clearance for Surgical Bleeding Control

Ax-Surgi Hemostat gets FDA Clearance for Surgical Bleeding Control

Clarius Report Finds 85% of Clinicians Believe Ultrasound Leads to Better Patient Outcomes

Clarius Report Finds 85% of Clinicians Believe Ultrasound Leads to Better Patient Outcomes

interviews & reviews
Levels Is Making Metabolism and Blood Glucose Tracking Accessible To Everyone

Levels Is Making Metabolism and Blood Glucose Tracking Accessible To Everyone

Imagene Profiles Cancer Biomarkers in Real Time

Imagene Profiles Cancer Biomarkers in Real Time

Empowering Stroke Survivors: Interview with Kirsten Carroll, CEO at Kandu Health

Empowering Stroke Survivors: Interview with Kirsten Carroll, CEO at Kandu Health

Alpha TAU Killing Tumors With Highly Targeted Alpha Radiation

Alpha TAU Killing Tumors With Highly Targeted Alpha Radiation

Neuroimmune Modulation for Inflammatory Disease: Interview with Dr. Simhambhatla, President and CEO of SetPoint Medical

Neuroimmune Modulation for Inflammatory Disease: Interview with Dr. Simhambhatla, President and CEO of SetPoint Medical

Exclusive Look at HandX Robotic-Assisted Surgical Device from Human Xtensions

Exclusive Look at HandX Robotic-Assisted Surgical Device from Human Xtensions

Balance Boards to Stay Active in the Offfice: Interview with Joel Heath, CEO of FluidStance 

Balance Boards to Stay Active in the Offfice: Interview with Joel Heath, CEO of FluidStance 

  • Subscribe
  • Contact us
  • Submit
  • About
  • Back to top
Medgadget

Medical technologies transform the world! Join us and see the progress in real time. At Medgadget, we report the latest technology news, interview leaders in the field, and file dispatches from medical events around the world since 2004.

  • About
  • Editorial policies
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy
  • Submit press release
  • Advertise
© Medgadget, Inc. All rights reserved. | The Medical Revolution Will Be Blogged.
Please support this website by adding us to your whitelist in your ad blocker. Ads are what helps us bring you premium content! Thank you!
Posting....
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email