Sandia National Laboratories, located in Albuquerque, NM, have
released their new and improved SpinDx diagnostic device.
This briefcase-sized device can process raw biological samples
in an hour or less by automatically distributing the material into dozens of
tiny channels by spinning them off the loading disk. The automatic distribution
is the key step in making this device quick in its detection of pathogenic
material. Once the samples are inside the channels, they interact with the reagent
and will cause a reaction that is detected by the software interface.
However, this spinning process is not new to SpinDx. The
latest updated device includes a heating element that allows SpinDx to conduct
nucleic acid tests that can identify viruses and bacteria. Contrasted against
its previous design that could only perform protein tests to identify antibodies,
this heated detection allows users to test immediately for pathogens rather
than wait for antibodies to appear.
Overall, SpinDx could be a game-changer for detecting
outbreaks. It is affordable, portable, reliable, and fast making it appealing
to developing nations that are lacking in their outbreak detection
infrastructure. No longer is a well-equipped laboratory with trained
technicians required. Plus, with faster detection comes faster treatment which
could slow and even stop outbreaks before they blow out of control. It is still
yet to be seen how widely distributed SpinDx will be, but it has a promising
outlook.
-Mailo Numazu
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