Researchers design sensor for fast, inexpensive on-site Ebola detection

Sensor technology requires no special storage; could also be useful for detecting COVID-19

2021-04-27

(Press-News.org) Researchers are developing a new sensor that can detect Ebola in a single drop of blood and provides results in just an hour. With further development, the technology might also enable fast and inexpensive detection of other viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

Ebola is one of the deadliest of all known viruses, killing up to 90% of those infected. Stopping its spread requires quickly detecting and isolating infected people. However, outbreaks tend to occur in remote areas of Africa, requiring blood tests to be transported to distant laboratories for analysis. This leads to significant delays in identifying a new outbreak.

Soma Banerjee, PhD, a visiting scientist in Marit Nilsen-Hamilton's laboratory at Iowa State University, research associate in Ames National Laboratory and research scientist at Aptalogic Inc., will present the research at the END

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Researchers design sensor for fast, inexpensive on-site Ebola detection

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