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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Low-Cost Biosensing Technology Detects Disease Biomarkers in Minutes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 09 Jul 2025

Rapid at-home tests for diseases like COVID-19 have become increasingly popular for their convenience, but they come with a major drawback: they are less sensitive than the tests performed in medical settings. More...

As a result, individuals may test negative despite being infected. This limitation can cause delays in diagnosis, particularly for serious conditions. Now, the need for more accurate and accessible diagnostics has led to the development of a new biosensing technology that could improve the sensitivity of at-home tests by up to 100 times, potentially expanding rapid screening to other life-threatening conditions like prostate cancer and sepsis.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA, USA) have created a new diagnostic technology that combines the natural "coffee-ring effect," plasmonics, and AI to detect disease biomarkers with remarkable precision. The technology uses a biosensor that concentrates disease biomarkers through the evaporation process of liquid droplets, which leave behind coffee-ring stains. By adding plasmonic nanoparticles to these stains, the system can detect changes in light patterns, which indicate the presence of biomarkers. This process gives results in less than 12 minutes and is significantly more sensitive than traditional tests for viruses like COVID-19. The technology is simple and low-cost, designed to be used in low-resource settings.

A prototype for this diagnostic test has been validated through testing with disease-relevant proteins, including biomarkers of sepsis. The findings, published in Nature Communications, show that this biosensing method can achieve results 100 times more sensitive than conventional COVID-19 tests. It also has the potential to detect sepsis in 10 to 15 minutes, a critical time frame for patients over 50. The technology could be used in home testing kits for a wide range of conditions, from COVID-19 to prostate cancer. With further development, the researchers aim to make this biosensing approach more widely accessible for regular screening of diseases, especially in environments where medical testing resources are limited.

“This simple yet effective technique can offer highly accurate results in a fraction of the time compared to traditional diagnostic methods,” said Kamyar Behrouzi, Ph.D., who recently completed his Ph.D. in micro-electromechanical systems and nanoengineering at UC Berkeley. “Our work paves the way for more affordable, accessible diagnostics, especially in low-resource settings.”

Related Links:
UC Berkeley


New
Gold Member
Cardiovascular Risk Test
Metabolic Syndrome Array I & II
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Gel Cards
DG Gel Cards
New
Laboratory Software
ArtelWare
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: Platelets sequester cfDNA during circulation (Murphy L. et al., Science, 2025; DOI: 10.1126/science.adp3971)

Platelets Could Improve Early and Minimally Invasive Detection of Cancer

Platelets are widely recognized for their role in blood clotting and scab formation, but they also play a crucial role in immune defense by detecting pathogens and recruiting immune cells.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New diagnostics could predict a woman’s risk of a common sexually transmitted infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Markers Could Predict Risk of Severe Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other reproductive complications when it spreads to the upper genital tract.... Read more

Pathology

view channel
image: Researchers Marco Gustav (right) and MD Nic G. Reitsam (left) discuss the study data (Photo courtesy of Anja Stübner/EKFZ)

AI Model Simultaneously Detects Multiple Genetic Colorectal Cancer Markers in Tissue Samples

Colorectal cancer is a complex disease influenced by multiple genetic alterations. Traditionally, studies and diagnostic tools have focused on predicting only one mutation at a time, overlooking the interplay... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.