We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
ARAB HEALTH - INFORMA

Download Mobile App




New, Easy-To-Use CRISPR-Based HIV Test Kit to Deliver Results in Minutes

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 Jul 2024
Print article
Image: The prototype HIV tester can potentially test and detect results in just minutes (Photo courtesy of University of Florida)
Image: The prototype HIV tester can potentially test and detect results in just minutes (Photo courtesy of University of Florida)

With 1.3 million new HIV cases and 630,000 HIV-related deaths reported in 2022 by the World Health Organization, improving and simplifying HIV detection in patients is crucial for reducing outbreaks and the resultant deaths. Although home testing kits for various health conditions have gained popularity, advancements in HIV testing have been slower to develop. Traditional HIV tests typically only become effective several weeks post-infection, raising the risk of unintentional virus transmission. Now, an innovative HIV-detection test kit utilizing advanced CRISPR technology is under development and could act as an early-warning system, potentially saving millions of lives.

CRISPR, or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, represents a breakthrough in genetic engineering, allowing selective modifications to the DNA of organisms in lab environments. This technology leverages genome editing systems that occur naturally in bacteria. A research team at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL, USA) is nearing completion of their HIV detection method that employs CRISPR technology. Promising rapid results, this test could enable earlier treatment for patients, potentially reducing viral loads to undetectable levels.

The innovative CRISPR-based kit is designed to measure HIV RNA levels quickly using a compact microfluidic device. This palm-sized prototype facilitates rapid self-testing soon after potential exposure, delivering results within minutes. With additional development, this self-testing kit could be available for use in various settings, including homes, doctor's offices, community clinics, and outreach locations like homeless shelters, within the next five years. The team's initial research into this HIV testing method has yielded encouraging results.

“Our goal is to develop a test kit that is not only highly advanced but also user-friendly, like a reliable alarm that detects potential issues before they escalate,” said Piyush Jain, Ph.D., an assistant professor at UF’s Department of Chemical Engineering, who is leading the research team. “This research is crucial given the staggering global impact of HIV and the critical need for early detection.” 

Related Links:
University of Florida

New
Gold Member
X-Ray QA Meter
T3 AD Pro
Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
New
Blanket Warming Cabinet
EC250
New
Diagnosis Display System
C1216W

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Various sensors might be helpful at different ages (Photo courtesy of Brasier et al./Nature, 2024)

New Generation of Wearable Sensors to Perform Biochemical Analysis of Body Fluids

Wearable devices are already capable of monitoring vital body functions, such as pulse with a smartwatch or blood pressure with a smartphone app. While these sensors can provide reliable real-time data... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: Synthetic images generated by each diffusion model contrasted with the corresponding real textural images of four types of polyps (Photo courtesy of UT at Austin)

AI-Assisted Imaging to Assist Endoscopists in Colonoscopy Procedures

Colorectal cancer is a major health concern in the United States, with the likelihood of developing the disease being 1 in 25 for women and 1 in 23 for men. Polyps, which are precursors to cancer, can... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The portable biosensor platform uses printed electrochemical sensors for the rapid, selective detection of Staphylococcus aureus (Photo courtesy of AIMPLAS)

Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections

Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The acoustic pipette uses sound waves to test for biomarkers in blood (Photo courtesy of Patrick Campbell/CU Boulder)

Handheld, Sound-Based Diagnostic System Delivers Bedside Blood Test Results in An Hour

Patients who go to a doctor for a blood test often have to contend with a needle and syringe, followed by a long wait—sometimes hours or even days—for lab results. Scientists have been working hard to... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.