Have the Zika virus? This experimental test can tell you within the hour
- 8 years ago
BOSTON — A team of researchers led by Harvard University has developed an efficient and low-cost test for the Zika virus.
"The growing global health crisis caused by the Zika virus propelled us to leverage novel technologies we have developed in the lab and use them to create a workflow that could diagnose a patient with Zika, in the field, within 2-3 hours," James Collins, a Wyss Core Faculty member at Harvard University said in a statement.
First, researchers have to amplify the concentration of Zika virus in the blood sample by adding a mixture of enzymes and primed DNA sequences that can trigger the virus to replicate.
The amplified sample is then added to the paper card that contains a mixture of cellular components and biological proteins, which changes colour if if sensors the RNA sequences of Zika virus in the sample.
Next, the sample will be tested on a CRISPR-Cas9-aided paper card to determine the strain of the virus, which will be shown by colour change.
The test result can be delivered in just 30 minutes but it can be expedited by the use of a special reader. The test could be used to screen blood, urine or saliva samples.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
Google+ http://plus.google.com/+TomoNewsUS/
Instagram @tomonewsus http://instagram.com/tomonewsus
"The growing global health crisis caused by the Zika virus propelled us to leverage novel technologies we have developed in the lab and use them to create a workflow that could diagnose a patient with Zika, in the field, within 2-3 hours," James Collins, a Wyss Core Faculty member at Harvard University said in a statement.
First, researchers have to amplify the concentration of Zika virus in the blood sample by adding a mixture of enzymes and primed DNA sequences that can trigger the virus to replicate.
The amplified sample is then added to the paper card that contains a mixture of cellular components and biological proteins, which changes colour if if sensors the RNA sequences of Zika virus in the sample.
Next, the sample will be tested on a CRISPR-Cas9-aided paper card to determine the strain of the virus, which will be shown by colour change.
The test result can be delivered in just 30 minutes but it can be expedited by the use of a special reader. The test could be used to screen blood, urine or saliva samples.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
Google+ http://plus.google.com/+TomoNewsUS/
Instagram @tomonewsus http://instagram.com/tomonewsus