Author: Kasym Kassymkhan
Translator: Yurankyzy Saltanat
Copy editor: Kigbaeva Kamilа
To protect against infection, the body synthesizes antibodies in response to its introduction, for example, HIV or coronavirus infection. Scientists Martin Mercks, Daniel Citterio and their colleagues have introduced a new system for determining the level of antibodies in the blood using cotton thread, luminous proteins and a smartphone camera. Many doctors want to know the quantitative indicator of antibodies in the blood, since this indicator helps in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases and in assessing the state of immunity. Now, expensive and complex laboratory tests are needed to quantify antibodies.
The mechanism is based on microfluidic filaments (µTAD), light-emitting sensory proteins retained on the filament. In the presence of antibodies, the light emitted from the sensors begins to change color. The transition from green to blue depends on the concentration of antibodies in the blood. Researchers used a pig's blood drop with anti-HIV antibodies and demonstrated that this system determines the level of antibodies for 5 minutes. Scientists noted that the system can determine the number of different antibodies. The smartphone’s camera captures changes in the color of light, and the results of the study can be observed on the smartphone itself.
Experts noted that with the successful development of this system, can be obtained a new, convenient one-step study of the level of antibodies in the blood.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/
