Cellphone-based tech could cut lab visits for blood tests
New York: Researchers have developed a cellphone-based blood test technology that can provide immediate results in the comfort of one's home or a doctor's clinic, thereby cutting visits to the laboratory.
In a paper published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the researchers detailed a mobile version of the "Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay" (ELISA), the gold standard technique used to detect the presence of an antibody or antigen.
"ELISA is an important technology for biochemical analysis of proteins and hormones and is critical for the diagnosis of many diseases, such as HIV and Lyme Disease," said corresponding author Anna Pyayt, Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, US.
"But the machines required for the incubation and reading are expensive and bulky," Pyayt said.
Instead of sending patients to a laboratory, the new cellphone-based technology - Mobile Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (MELISA) -- allows for the very same test to be conducted in the doctor's office, clinic or even in a remote area.
"The MELISA allows patients to undergo testing and obtain results at point-of-care," Pyayt said.
The device accurately measures progesterone levels, a key hormone that impacts female fertility and is indicative of some cancers.
It consists of a water bath heater that incubates samples at a target temperature and analyses them via images taken by mobile phone.
The device uses colour analysis to determine the RGB (red, green, blue) colour components of each sample.
The blue colour component is used for further analysis due to its sensitivity to the changes in progesterone concentration.
"It is designed to make biomedical testing simple and affordable. When low cost testing can be integrated with routine clinic visits, this would greatly improve the quality of healthcare and detect worrisome signs earlier," Pyayt added.
The portable MELISA weighs less than half a kg, and the researchers believe that it has the potential help older patients suffering chronic conditions and those across the world.
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MCC honours Sachin Tendulkar with club membership
Melbourne, Dec 27: The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) on Friday said Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar has accepted its invitation to become an honourary member of the prestigious institution.
Founded in 1838, the MCC is one of the oldest sports clubs in Australia and is responsible for the management and development of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), one of the game's premier venues.
"An icon honoured. The MCC is pleased to announce that former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar has accepted an Honorary Cricket Membership, acknowledging his outstanding contribution to the game," the MCC posted on 'X'.
The legendary Tendulkar currently holds the record of most runs at MCG with 449 from five Tests at an average of 44.90 and a strike-rate of 58.69 with a hundred and three fifties.
Earlier in 2012, Tendulkar was awarded the Order of Australia, one of the country's highest honours.
The MCG is currently hosting the vital fourth and penultimate Test match between India and Australia with the rubber evenly poised at 1-1.
An icon honoured.
— Melbourne Cricket Club (@MCC_Members) December 27, 2024
The MCC is pleased to announce that former Indian captain @sachin_rt has accepted an Honorary Cricket Membership, acknowledging his outstanding contribution to the game. pic.twitter.com/0JXE46Z8T6
