Hebrew University: Fast and Accurate Virus Detection

In a major breakthrough for virus detection technology, Prof. Dr. Eitan Lerner and the PhD candidate, Mrs. Paz Drori from the Hebrew University and their team together with their colleagues in the research group of Prof. Dr. Thorben Cordes from Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich and the Technical University Dortmund have developed a new method for quickly and accurately detecting nanoparticles and viruses, one at a time.

This innovative approach combines confocal fluorescence microscopy with microfluidic laminar flow, offering an effective alternative to traditional methods, according to the press release of the Hebrew University.

The method combines laminar flow in a microfluidic channel with fluorescence signals from free dyes and labelled antibodies, providing important insights into nanoparticle characteristics.

A key feature of this new assay is rooted in the option to employ hydrodynamic focusing, which greatly improves sensitivity for detecting viruses at clinically relevant concentrations. This technology is designed to be portable and user-friendly, using an affordable 3D-printed Brick-MIC setup, rendering it accessible for wider use in clinical settings.

This research opens the door to a new era of rapid and precise virus detection, which is closely aligned with the principles of individual targeted healthcare. By enabling quick and specific identification of viruses and nanoparticles, this method is envisioned to facilitate personalized monitoring of health conditions at the individual level.

Based on the press release of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Selected as relevant/shortened/lectured by VonNaftali.