In recent years, a variety of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices have been demonstrated, providing rapid, cheap and easily disposable diagnostic platforms. However, the qualitative, optical nature of the readout can be difficult to interpret and limits the sensitivity of the test. Flu diagnosis needs a more accurate and sensitive quantitative diagnosis.
Together, with scientists from Imperial College, i-sense is exploring the suitability of carbon nanotubes as electrodes in paper-based devices for accurate, machine-readable test results.
The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) will provide advantages over existing carbon paste prototypes, and coupled with new carbon chemistries, may enable a variety of new modes of operation. The electrodes will be first tested to establish the sensitivity achievable in different transduction mechanisms and the most promising embodiments will be selected for further development to quantitatively detect Influenza A Nucleoprotein.
People: Milo Shaffer, Claudio Parolo, Benjamin Miller, Neal Skipper and Rachel McKendry
Collaborating institutions: UCL, Imperial College London
