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

ATTENTION: Due to the COVID-19 PANDEMIC, many events are being rescheduled for a later date, converted into virtual venues, or altogether cancelled. Please check with the event organizer or website prior to planning for any forthcoming event.

Voice-Activated Sample Pre-Treatment Device Enables Hands-Free, Safer DNA Handling

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Feb 2023
Print article
Image: The small, voice-activated device extracts and pretreats bacterial DNA (Photo courtesy of ACS Sensors)
Image: The small, voice-activated device extracts and pretreats bacterial DNA (Photo courtesy of ACS Sensors)

Scientists using samples containing pathogens work with the smallest amounts possible in order to avoid accidental infection. In the case of highly contagious bacterial diseases, on-site sample analysis is suitable for rapid diagnoses. Additionally, scientists with visual or other physical impairments can find it difficult to operate complex instruments, particularly those designed for tiny volumes. Now, the same technology used by smart voice assistants could also make the laboratory a safer place for scientists and technicians handling infectious samples.

Hands-free devices that can be operated quickly using voice commands could make the laboratory safer for scientists and technicians. Researchers at Kyung Hee University (Yongin, South Korea) set out to combine a speech recognition app with a miniaturized extraction system to do just that. The researchers first built a microfluidic chip with multiple chambers linked together by six 3-way solenoid valves, which were operated by a micro-controller connected to a Bluetooth module. The palm-sized device weighed only 11 ounces and was powered by a portable battery or a 5V smartphone charger. Using existing speech recognition software, the team went on to customize a smartphone app to listen for specific voice commands.

The voice-activated system is simple to operate. As soon as the user says one of the operation commands out loud, the app wirelessly sends an initiation signal to the micro-controller. After receiving the signal, the micro-controller automatically begins a series of steps, including sample loading, washing and releasing the purified DNA into a collection chamber. Currently, the system requires the user to touch the smartphone to start the speech recognition software, although the entire operation could soon become completely hands-free with the addition of virtual assistant software.

The researchers conducted tests of the system in which the voice-controlled device extracted DNA from Salmonella Typhimurium, purifying a 10-µL sample with an efficiency of 70% in less than a minute. The system’s performance was lower as compared to a traditional DNA extraction kit, although its voice control, portability and quick automation lend it an advantage for convenient and safe bacterial DNA testing, according to the researchers.

Related Links:
Kyung Hee University

Gold Supplier
Automated, Random Access Chemistry Analyzer
LIDA 300
New
Free Triiodothyronine (fT3) Rapid Test
Finecare fT3 Rapid Quantitative Test
New
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Assay
SeroMP
New
Silver Supplier
Deepwell Plates
Accumax Deepwell Plates

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chem.

view channel
Image: Brief schematic diagram of the detection principle and method (Photo courtesy of CAS)

Rapid, Non-Invasive Method Diagnoses Type 2 Diabetes by Sniffing Urinary Acetone

Over 90% of diabetes cases are attributed to Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a prevalent metabolic condition that is expected to impact 380 million individuals globally by 2025. Despite being highly accurate, the... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The new assay enables accurate prognosis and detection data for those prone to esophageal cancer (Photo courtesy of Previse)

First-of-Its-Kind Test Helps Determine Future Risk of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is among the most lethal cancers in the world and has a 20% five-year survival rate post-diagnosis. Barrett's esophagus is the sole precursor known and is a significant risk factor for... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A genetic test could guide the use of cancer chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Genetic Test Predicts Whether Bowel Cancer Patients Can Benefit From Chemotherapy

Late-stage bowel cancer patients usually undergo a series of chemotherapies and targeted medicines for cancer treatment. However, the responses to the last-line chemotherapy treatment trifluridine/tipiracil... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Sampling a single stool using multiple PCR panels can identify more pathogens rapidly (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

PCR Panels for Acute GI Infections Can Lower Costs, Hospitalization and Antibiotic Use

Acute gastroenteritis impacts adults across all age groups and incurs enormous healthcare expenses. Now, a new study comprising 40,000 hospital visits across various geographic locations has revealed that... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Live view of non-fluorescent specimens using the glowscope frame (Photo courtesy of Winona State University)

Device Converts Smartphone into Fluorescence Microscope for Just USD 50

Fluorescence microscopes are utilized to examine specimens labeled with fluorescent stains or expressing fluorescent proteins, like those tagged with green fluorescent protein. However, since these microscopes... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Roche and Lilly will collaborate on the development of Roche Diagnostics’ Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Roche and Eli Lilly Collaborate on Innovative Blood Test for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's

Presently, obstacles to timely and precise diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease exist globally, resulting in as many as 75% of individuals exhibiting symptoms but lacking a formal diagnosis.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.