Project Proposal
Completion Date
3-2016
Advisor(s)
Nathaniel Martinez
Abstract
A fundamental issue in healthcare is the development of cost-effective and reliable diagnostic assays. While still a relatively new field, paper-based analytical devices are emerging as inexpensive and portable methods of providing healthcare professionals with real-time diagnostic information. Furthermore, these devices can often be used at the point of care, thus eliminating the need for a myriad of time-consuming laboratory techniques. While the original goal of this project was to develop a paper-based lateral flow immunoassay capable of colorimetric quantitation, the device design was altered over the course of the past year. Upon testing, the originally proposed lateral flow assay lacked adequate sensitivity and reliability. Therefore, a novel three-dimensional paper-based analytical device was developed. This new device design utilizes enzymatic amplification to break down a biomatrix, ultimately producing a chronometric readout. This unique biomatrix can detect <1 femtomole (10-15) of analyte, with degradation time being directly correlated to analyte concentration. Thus far, device storage conditions, viable pH ranges, and viable temperature ranges have been determined. While further refinement is still needed, these diagnostic devices have the potential to revolutionize point-of-care assays through the quantification of analytes in both field and clinical settings.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/bkendowments/36
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.