Portable smartphone-based molecular test for rapid detection of Leishmania spp.

Purpose: Leishmaniasis, caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania, is a neglected tropical disease which is endemic in more than 60 countries. In South-East Asia, Brazil, and East Africa, it mainly occurs as kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis, VL), and subsequently as post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in a smaller portion of cases. As stated per WHO roadmap, accessibility to accurate diagnostic methods is an essential step to achieve elimination.

Label-free enrichment of rare unconventional circulating neoplastic cells using a microfluidic dielectrophoretic sorting device.

Cellular circulating biomarkers from the primary tumor such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating hybrid cells (CHCs) have been described to harbor tumor-like phenotype and genotype. CHCs are present in higher numbers than CTCs supporting their translational potential. Methods for isolation of CHCs do not exist and are restricted to low-throughput, time consuming, and biased methodologies.