We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Novel Diagnostic Technique Could Revolutionize Identification of Pathogens in Biological Samples

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Apr 2023
Print article
Image: The new diagnostic technique could rapidly detect low-abundance pathogens in biological samples (Photo courtesy of Freepik)
Image: The new diagnostic technique could rapidly detect low-abundance pathogens in biological samples (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

In cases where a patient suffers from an infection, particularly in their bloodstream, traditional methods can take up to seven days to identify pathogens. This delay impedes prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment, negatively affecting the patient's prognosis. A similar lag occurs in cell therapy product manufacturing, where it can take seven to 14 days to detect contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. As cell therapy products cannot be sterilized, early contaminant detection is crucial to restart the production cycle, ensuring the safe and prompt delivery of these products to patients.

A research team from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART, Singapore) is developing an innovative diagnostic method capable of quickly identifying low-abundance pathogens in biological samples. In prior research, the team developed electrostatic microfiltration as an efficient sample preparation device for bacteria enrichment. Their current goal is to integrate this microfilter with mainstream detection methods, allowing for bacterial detection using digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification—a type of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The resulting system will be fast, single-use, portable, and user-friendly, eliminating the need for a highly specialized facility. Additionally, it will be compatible with other advanced downstream detection techniques and can easily be incorporated into existing commercial kits or facilities to enhance detection method performance.

“This project builds on on-going projects at SMART focused on separating viruses and bacteria – which are much smaller than mammalian cells – from biological samples, and could revolutionize the way pathogens are identified,” said Dr. Yaoping Liu, Senior Postdoctoral Associate at SMART CAMP, who is leading the research team. “The use of an efficient and relatively cost-effective method could significantly improve the prognosis of sepsis and other infectious diseases, and allow the delivery of timely and more personalized care.”

Related Links:
SMART 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Plasma Control
Plasma Control Level 1

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.