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Cheap colour test picks up HIV | Cheap colour test picks up HIV |
(about 14 hours later) | |
By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News | By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News |
A cheap test which could detect even low levels of viruses and some cancers has been developed by UK researchers. | A cheap test which could detect even low levels of viruses and some cancers has been developed by UK researchers. |
The colour of a liquid changes to give either a positive or negative result. | The colour of a liquid changes to give either a positive or negative result. |
The designers from Imperial College London say the device could lead to more widespread testing for HIV and other diseases in parts of the world where other methods are unaffordable. | The designers from Imperial College London say the device could lead to more widespread testing for HIV and other diseases in parts of the world where other methods are unaffordable. |
The prototype, which needs wider testing, is described in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. | The prototype, which needs wider testing, is described in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. |
The test can be configured to a unique signature of a disease or virus - such as a protein found on the surface of HIV. | |
If that marker is present it changes the course of a chemical reaction. The final result is blue if the marker is there, red if the marker is not. | If that marker is present it changes the course of a chemical reaction. The final result is blue if the marker is there, red if the marker is not. |
The researchers say this allows the results to be detected with "the naked eye". | The researchers say this allows the results to be detected with "the naked eye". |
Prof Molly Stevens told the BBC: "This method should be used when the presence of a target molecule at ultra-low concentration could improve the diagnosis of disease. | Prof Molly Stevens told the BBC: "This method should be used when the presence of a target molecule at ultra-low concentration could improve the diagnosis of disease. |
"For example, it is important to detect some molecules at ultra-low concentrations to test cancer recurrence after tumour removal. | "For example, it is important to detect some molecules at ultra-low concentrations to test cancer recurrence after tumour removal. |
"It can also help with diagnosing HIV-infected patients whose viral load is too low to be detected with current methods." | "It can also help with diagnosing HIV-infected patients whose viral load is too low to be detected with current methods." |
Early testing showed the presence of markers of HIV and prostate cancer could be detected. However, trials on a much larger scale will be needed before it could be used clinically. | Early testing showed the presence of markers of HIV and prostate cancer could be detected. However, trials on a much larger scale will be needed before it could be used clinically. |
The researchers expect their design will cost 10 times less than current tests. They say this will be important in countries where the only options are unaffordable. | |
Fellow researcher Dr Roberto de la Rica said: "This test could be significantly cheaper to administer, which could pave the way for more widespread use of HIV testing in poorer parts of the world." | Fellow researcher Dr Roberto de la Rica said: "This test could be significantly cheaper to administer, which could pave the way for more widespread use of HIV testing in poorer parts of the world." |
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