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A new generation of biosensor technology has made possible the immediate, label-free electrical detection of specific biomolecules with great precision and at low cost. Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi can be accurately and rapidly detected with a handy, easy-to-use handheld device. No laboratory, no technicians, no refrigeration, no sample preparation needed. A general-purpose device uses swappable cartridges to detect specific pathogens in samples of blood or other biofluids. Results are displayed immediately using a smartphone app.

This technology forms the basis for new, cost-effective, rapid point-of-care diagnostic assays for infectious diseases such as Zika, Ebola and pandemic influenza. Other potential applications include pathogen surveillance for agriculture, ranching, veterinary medicine, wildlife management; monitoring infectious disease agents among poultry, wildfowl and insect vectors; detecting microbial contamination in food processing. It can be used to detect viral and bacterial antigens, host antibodies, bacterial toxins, nucleic acids.

Pinpoint Science is working to commercialize this technology, based on the functionalized nanopipettes developed by Dr. Nader Pourmand at the University of California at Santa Cruz, patented technology which has been validated in numerous peer-reviewed publications. An early-stage startup, Pinpoint is working with Dr Pourmand to explore proof-of-concept applications which address current threats to global public health.

Event Details

  • Global Health Sciences

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