Close-up schematic of the UCLA-developed all-in-one platform for fully automated disease testing (Ella Maru Studio)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe system incorporates a circuit board that can move a series of magnetic discs, termed ferrobots, along microfluidic channels. The ferrobots shuttle sample droplets around the device, and can separate and mix samples together, add reagents, and facilitate the loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays to detect viral nucleic acids. These steps are automated and do not require operator input.<\/p>\n
The goal of the technology is to initially test multiple samples that have been mixed together, saving reagents. If none of these pooled samples are positive for the virus, then the device can move on to testing the next pooled batch. However, if the pooled batch tests positive, then the system will test each sample individually to identify the positive sample(s). This approach saves a lot of time and reagents, since most pooled samples will not test positive, avoiding the need to test each sample individually. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis platform\u2019s compact design and automated handling of samples enable easy implementations of pooled testing where you can test dozens of patient samples at the same time, and all with the same materials it currently takes to test just one patient,\u201d said Dino Di Carlo, another researcher involved in the study. \u201cFor example, you could test students in an entire college residence hall with just a few dozen test kits.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
Study in Nature<\/em>: Ferrobotic swarms enable accessible and adaptable automated viral testing<\/p>\nVia: University of California Los Angeles<\/p>\n
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