28 October 2012 Last updated at 18:53 GMT
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.
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 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.
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.
"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."
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."
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