Test gives fast results
Wed, October 08 2008
Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed a biosensor that uses antibodies to detect biomarkers — molecules that indicate disease — much faster than current testing methods. The technology was developed through a European collaboration of researchers and commercial partners in a 2.7 million Euro project called ELISHA.
ELISHA coordinator Paul Millner said “we believe this to be the next generation diagnostic testing. We can now detect almost any analyte faster, cheaper and more easily than the current accepted testing methodology.”
Currently, blood and urine are tested for disease markers using a method called ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay). Developed in the 1970s, the process takes an average of two hours to complete, is costly and can only be performed by highly trained staff.
The Leeds team are confident their new technology, which provides results in 15 minutes or less could be developed into a small device the size of a mobile phone into which different sensor chips could be inserted, depending on the disease being tested for.
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