A new blood test paired with a smartphone app could speed up the detection of disease in remote communities – thanks to scientific research developed in Dundee.
Researchers at Abertay university have worked with colleagues at Bangor University in Wales have prototyped a Covid-style lateral flow test capable of detecting five different infections – with results quickly analysed and communicated via an app.
The project, supported by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, builds on global efforts to combat infectious diseases, killing millions across developing nations.
Diseases like tuberculosis (TB), which kills an estimated 1.25 million people worldwide, could be treated early by the technology at ‘point of care’ in remote villages, eliminating the need for long-distance trips for lab analysis.
The research was led by Professor Christopher Gwenin of Abertay university’s faculty of social and applied sciences, in collaboration with Professor Mark Baird, of Bangor University, whose team developed the molecules used to detect particular mycobacterial infections. The work was also carried out by the late Joanne Hacking, a PhD researcher on the project.
Professor Gwenin said: “The development of this prototype blood test represents a significant leap forward in healthcare innovation, offering rapid detection and potentially life-saving diagnoses for multiple infectious diseases in remote areas.
“Improving our ability to detect and treat cases of TB and the many other diseases that blight the developing world is an important stream of work and an area where further R&D investment is required to maintain momentum. The ability to detect TB rapidly could transform the diagnosis timeline and this is particularly vital in rural areas, where people lack access to adequate diagnostic services. Although still in the prototype phase, this research lays the groundwork for a scalable, mobile, and data-driven solution to tackle some of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases.”
Professor Baird, now emeritus professor at Bangor University, added: “With further development, this innovative device has real potential to provide a very rapid screening tool for the diagnosis not only of TB, but also of other significant human and animal infections caused by mycobacteria.
“TB remains one of the major causes of death worldwide, despite being both preventable and treatable and, with further development, this research has the potential to make a real impact. In many parts of the world, patients wait weeks—sometimes months—for a diagnosis, during which time infections can spread unchecked.”
The potential impact of improving testing in developing nations is significant, with tuberculosis remaining one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases claiming approximately 1.25 million lives annually – more than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.
According to the WHO, an additional US$ 22 billion is needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global target by 2027 agreed at the 2023 UN high level-meeting on TB.
