VPodDuo: An AirPods-Sized Molecular Analyzer for Pathogens and Cancer Markers
Engineers built a pocket-sized molecular reader that runs paired tests for viruses and cancer markers, aiming to make advanced diagnostics more accessible.
Engineers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a portable molecular analyzer called VPodDuo, designed to read and compare test results for pathogens and cancer-related biomarkers. The device is shaped and sized similarly to a wireless Apple AirPods charging case.
Traditional laboratory testing relies on measuring amplified fluorescent dyes, but existing equipment is typically bulky, expensive, and requires specialized training. To shrink this down, the researchers used a photodetector—a simple component that measures light intensity without spatial data. While a single detector cannot easily compare a test sample against a negative control, the VPodDuo supports a paired testing process, measuring two samples simultaneously.
The device connects to smartphones via Bluetooth and uses a companion app to interpret green fluorescence signals generated by various chemical reagents. According to the research team, led by Hang Kyu Lee, the hardware has demonstrated the ability to detect genetic material from the Zika virus, HIV, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and human cancer markers.
Source: habr
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