Simple new test for HIV simple and color coded

October 30, 2012

The highly sensitive test turns blue for a positive result and red for a negative one. It could be altered to detect other diseases, such as malaria and sepsis.

Researchers at Imperial College London have created a simple and quick HIV test that is both more sensitive and 10 times cheaper than existing methods. The new test, which uses nanotechnology to produce results visible to the naked eye, could be invaluable in poorer countries that lack sophisticated laboratory equipment.

To detect the AIDS-causing virus using the new method, researchers add serum from a patient’s blood sample to a solution of gold nanoparticles. If the nanoparticles come into contact with an HIV biomarker called p24, they clump together into an irregular pattern that turns the mixture blue–indicating a positive test result. If p24 is absent, the gold nanoparticles separate into ball shapes, and the mixture turns red, signaling a negative result.

Lead investigator Molly Stevens said the test could be altered to detect other diseases, including malaria, sepsis, prostate cancer, tuberculosis, and leishmaniasis.

The study appears inΒ Nature Nanotechnology.

Credits to PopsciΒ http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-10/cheap-new-nanoparticle-hiv-test-produces-results-visible-naked-eye

Categorized in:

Comments are closed here.

Some random posts

Awesome New Electronics Can Dissolve and Disappear When They’re No Longer Needed

“Transient electronics” could deliver drugs, monitor buildings and more. Could

“Transient electronics” could deliver drugs, monitor buildings and more. Could

View blog post

Optimize and Create: Your Pathway to Web Dominance

πŸš€ Elevate Your Website & Social Presence! πŸš€ Discover KWD's groundbreaking services: βœ… Turbocharge website speed with WEBP images & Cloudflare integration. βœ… Boost your online engagement with curated blog articles & cross-platform posting. Dive in and reshape your digital journey! πŸŒπŸ” #WebOptimization #SocialMediaBoost #KWDServices

πŸš€ Elevate Your Website & Social Presence! πŸš€ Discover KWD's groundbreaking services: βœ… Turbocharge website speed with WEBP images & Cloudflare integration. βœ… Boost your online engagement with curated blog articles & cross-platform posting. Dive in and reshape your digital journey! πŸŒπŸ” #WebOptimization #SocialMediaBoost #KWDServices

View blog post