Mobile Molecular Diagnostics System

Patent Status

Brief Description

There is a growing interest in point-of-care testing (POCT) where testing is done at or near the site of patient care, since POCT has a short therapeutic turnaround time, decreased process steps where errors can occur and only a small sample volume is required to perform a test. 

UC Berkeley researchers have developed a mobile molecular diagnostics system that leverages efficient and dependable blood sampling, automated sample preparation, rapid optical detection of multi-analyte nucleic acids and proteins, and user-friendly systems integration with wireless communication.  The system includes a hand-held automated device with an adaptive sample control module, an optical signal transduction module, and an interface to a smartphone making this a reliable and field-applicable system for point-of-care and on-demand diagnostics.

Suggested uses

• Microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic device for protein and nucleic acid detection
• Point-of-care device for on-demand diagnostics
• Forensic science testing
• Food testing
• Environmental monitoring

Advantages

• Rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple analytes (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids)
• Portability
• Low cost, simple operation, and low power consumption
• Automated sample preparation
• User-friendly systems integration