High-Throughput Flow-Through Direct Immunoassays for Targeted Bacteria Detection.

Regulatory authorities require analytical methods for bacteria detection to analyze large sample volumes (typically 100 mL). Currently only the Membrane Filtration and the Most Probable Number assays analyze such large volumes, while other assays for bacteria detection (ELISA, lateral flow assays, etc.) typically analyze volumes 1000 times smaller.

Sink/Float Magnetic Immunoassays for In-Field Bioassays.

Analytical tests/devices that are used outside laboratory settings are required to have a very simple analytical protocol to get clearance by regulatory authorities. This study describes sink/float magnetic immunoassays, a new type of rapid, mix-and-observe, instrument-free tests for the detection of biomarkers in untreated biological samples that are very simple and might meet the simple-to-use criterion of authorities to be used in the field. These tests can tell whether an analyte is above or below a predetermined level within 25-45 minutes based on the sinking or floating of a mm-sized sphere on the surface of which an immunoassay that uses reporter antibodies conjugated to superparamagnetic nanoparticles is performed.

A linear gradient sequential injection chromatography method exploiting programmable fluidics for the determination of three methylxanthines.

This work describes a novel sequential injection chromatography (SIC) method combined with linear gradient elution for the separation and determination of three main methylxanthines (theobromine, theophylline and caffeine) using a short C18 monolithic column. The method utilizes a hybrid manifold which exploits zone fluidics for solution manipulation and programmable fluidics for the implementation of a two-solvent linear gradient elution protocol. This approach offers a high degree of automation and enables faster separation of the three target methylxanthines with respect to isocratic elution as well as better chromatographic efficiency.

From Point-of-Care Testing to eHealth Diagnostic Devices (eDiagnostics).

Point-of-care devices were originally designed to allow medical testing at or near the point of care by health-care professionals. Some point-of-care devices allow medical self-testing at home but cannot fully cover the growing diagnostic needs of eHealth systems that are under development in many countries. A number of easy-to-use, network-connected diagnostic devices for self-testing are needed to allow remote monitoring of patients' health.