New printable diagnostic tool offers high-sensitivity testing capabilities

A new portable diagnostic tool has been developed that is easy to produce and can deliver rapid results in resource-limited settings.

Created by a team from Duke University, the D4 assay was produced by inkjet-printing an array of antibodies on to a glass slide with a nonstick polymer coating, allowing it to detect low levels of antigens – the protein markers of disease – from a single drop of blood.

It can identify a disease biomarker in as little as 15 minutes, with results read using a tabletop scanner or 3D-printed smartphone attachment that uses the phone's camera to read the results, meaning its point-of-care applications are considerable.

The use of a polymer brush coating plays a pivotal role in its effectiveness, as this coating prevents non-target proteins from attaching to the surface of the slide, improving the accuracy.

This assay represents a significant advance compared to current diagnostic tests such as  enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, which require trained experts and bulky equipment to use correctly.

Angus Hucknall, a co-author of the paper, said: "The D4 assay enables us to conduct high-performance diagnostic testing with minimal resources, making it a promising platform for increasing access to sensitive and quantitative diagnostic tools."

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