A team of scientists at the University of Texas at Arlington created a diagnostic breath test for influenza, according to research recently published in the journal Sensors.
The team examined available scientific literature to determine the known biomarkers of influenza. Analysis revealed a number of volatile organic compounds and nitric oxide produced in parts of the lining of the human respiratory tract. The team then used nanotechnology — the manipulation of matter on a molecular level — created sensors to detect these specific gases in the breath of individuals infected with influenza.
The device could one day be widely distributed in drug stores, which would allow individuals to self-diagnose the virus early on and potentially seek medicinal intervention faster.
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"Before we applied nanotechnology to create this device, the only way to detect biomarkers in a person's breath was through very expensive, highly-technical equipment in a lab, operated by skilled personnel," said Perena Gouma, PhD, a professor in the materials science and engineering department at UTA and lead developer of the new technology. "I think that technology like this is going to revolutionize personalized diagnostics. This will allow people to be proactive and catch illnesses early, and the technology can easily be used to detect other diseases, such as Ebola virus disease, simply by changing the sensors."
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