Portable ‘paper machine’ to detect cancer

Scientists have developed a portable, low-cost "paper machine" for detection of cancer, infectious diseases and genetic conditions.

American Chemical Society scientists believe that a part of the barrier to bring this kind of technology everywhere is that it often requires multiple steps under precisely controlled temperatures to prepare a sample and analyse it.

By using materials that cost a less than two dollar total, the researchers condensed sample preparation, DNA analysis and detection steps into a hand-held paper machine.

“The prototype device integrates paper microfluidics (to enable fluid handling) and a multilayer structure, or a ‘paper machine’, that allows a central patterned paper strip to slide in and out of fluidic path and thus allows introduction of sample, wash buffers, amplification master mix, and detection reagents with minimal pipetting, in a hand-held, disposable device intended for point-of-care use in resource-limited environments,” the study said.

The researchers claim that the results of the tests can be read using ultraviolet light and a smart-phone camera. The research is published in the Journal Analytical Chemistry.

By Lizitha