User-friendly and robust paper-based device for in-field diagnostic of infectious diseases

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EPSRC : Giulia Core : EP/R513222/1Early detection of infectious diseases requires rapid, portable and highly sensitive molecular diagnostic platforms. The project, to be carried out during the Globalink placement at McMaster University in Canada, aims at creating a point-of-care (POC) device that simplifies the efforts in monitoring and eliminating infectious diseases in communities. Low-cost, paper-based devices based on microfluidics have been developed but none currently meet the "ASSURED" criteria for effective POC testing provided by World Health Organisation (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free and Deliverable to end-users). Even if current tests can detect very low concentrations of infectious organisms, their limited robustness restricts their practical use in clinics and in communities, due to the degradation of essential reagents (such as enzymes) in challenging field conditions, outside of the laboratory environment. In this project, we will develop new enzyme-free detection methods and integrate them onto paper substrates to deliver "ASSURED" devices.