There is no need to setup a sophisticated laboratory to test DNA samples. A hand-held device that may permit physicians, forensic experts, pharmacists and everyone else to quickly and cheaply conduct a DNA test is being designed.
"We are simplifying and miniaturising the analytical processes so we can do this work in the field, away from traditional laboratories, with very fast analysis times, and at a greatly reduced cost," said James P.
Landers, University of Virginia (U-V) professor of chemistry, mechanical engineering and associate professor of pathology.
"We can now do lab work in volumes that are thousands of times smaller than would normally be used in a regular lab setup, and can do it up to 100 times faster. This area of research has matured enough during the last five years to allow us to seriously consider future possibilities for devices that would allow sample-in, answer-out capabilities from almost anywhere," he said.
Such a device could be used by common person or by doctor, for example, to quickly test for an array of infectious diseases, such as anthrax, avian flu or HIV.
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