News 24 reported on 19 January that a Cape Town scientist, Dr Jaymi Leigh January, and her team is developing a rapid, low-cost portable screening test that could transform the early detection of TB, cancer and Covid-19.
“Developed at UWC’s SensorLab, the highly sensitive electrochemical sensor can detect minute traces of disease markers at levels far below many existing tests, with the researchers saying the affordable device could be a lifesaver for clinics with limited resources, helping to reduce delayed diagnoses.
“The sensor was able to pick up concentrations as low as 0.04 picograms per millilitre – a level far below the detection limits of many existing diagnostic tools. The presence of these proteins in the blood is a warning signal of these hidden infections.