Diagnostic Rapid Test for Detecting Diseases is 1,000 Times More Sensitive than Current Rapid Tests

    Most everyone is familiar with the test strips detecting COVID-19, along with possible negative test results before testing positive. Srikanth Singamaneni, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering & materials science in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis said standard tests are not able to detect diseases with high sensitivity at the early stage of disease progression.

    “So, we came up with a nanoparticle that is exceptionally bright compared to nanoparticles being used today in those tests,” said Singamaneni.

    His team is developing new technologies to substantially improve testing for a range of viral and bacterial infections, as well and other diseases.

    Singamaneni developed a new point-of-care diagnostic test for clinicians that is 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional rapid tests.

    The technology could test for a range of diseases, allowing for highly-accurate rapid testing that is affordable without the need to send samples to a lab.