Team:Aberdeen Scotland/Project/Device

From 2014.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
(Created page with "<html> <head> <!-- Charset --> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <title>Team:Aberdeen Scotland/Project/Device - 2014.ogem.org</title> <!-- JavaScript --> <script src="http://2014.i...")
Line 61: Line 61:
<!-- SECTION HEAD -->
<!-- SECTION HEAD -->
<div class="t_overview">
<div class="t_overview">
-
<h1><i>E. coli</i>-based Trypanosomiasis Diagnostic System</h1>
+
<h1>Portable Fluorescence Detector</h1>
-
<p>Getting back at the Sleeping sickness by detecting it early.</p>
+
<h3>The measurement device for automatically and efficiently analysing the test results on the go.</h3>
</div> <br class="clear"> <!-- END OF HEAD -->
</div> <br class="clear"> <!-- END OF HEAD -->
<!-- PAGE CONTENT -->
<!-- PAGE CONTENT -->
<div class="main_content">
<div class="main_content">
-
<p>The goal of our project is to to develop a novel method for diagnosing Trypanosomiasis. Our aim is to provide a simpler, cheaper alternative to current methods that would be more versatile in developing countries and their remote regions. We wish to create a test that would be portable, endure harsh environmental conditions and most importantly be sensitive to the early stages of the disease.</p>
+
<p>In order to be able to test a patient in the field, the assay needs to be analysed. As the assay results in expressed in GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) production, it is going to be very hard to make any meaningful measurements by hand. This is why our team has concentrated on designing a portable device that would aid the medical staff.</p>
 +
<p>The operation of the device in question relies on several fundamental principles - the discrete nature of the activation and emission wavelengths for GFP, the filtering of UV light and the sensitivity range of LDRs (Light Dependent Resistors). Essentially, the device is going to measure the intensity of fluorescent light due to GFP illumination with UV light, in order to determine the amount (concentration) of GFP in the medium.</p>
 +
<h3>The Measurement Chamber</h3>
 +
<p>After the assay protocol has been finished, the cuvette is to be placed in the measurement chamber of the device. There a UV LED (Light Emitting Diode) with peak wavelength at 395 nm (the activation wavelength for GFP) will shine through the cuvette and illuminate the GFP molecules in the medium. On the other side of the cuvette, after a UV filter and a Green (green pass-through) filter, the light intensity is going to be measured by means of a LDR (Light Dependent Resistor).</p>
 +
<h3>Control Circuit</h3>
 +
<p>The LDR is going to be connected to an Arduino, that will be managing and supplying power to the measuring chamber and the measuring process. In order to improve on the simple measurement values, the Arduino will be communicating with a RaspberryPi, that will be using Mathematica software for noise reduction and data analysis. In certain cases the RaspberryPi will be able to react to incoming data by adjusting the measurement procedure employed by the Arduino through the control API.</p>
 +
<h3>Portability</h3>
 +
<p>The final milestone for the device is going to be portability. With the low-power nature of all the components in question, we aim to design the device to be able to operate from a small USB battery pack. The battery could then be charged in the mains or through a solar-panel charger. The market for such solar chargers is growing rapidly and they can be found on very affordable prices with good reliability.</p>
</div> <br class="clear"> <!-- END OF PAGE CONTENT -->
</div> <br class="clear"> <!-- END OF PAGE CONTENT -->
</div> <!-- END OF CONTAINER -->
</div> <!-- END OF CONTAINER -->

Revision as of 00:02, 15 August 2014

Team:Aberdeen Scotland/Project/Device - 2014.ogem.org



Portable Fluorescence Detector

The measurement device for automatically and efficiently analysing the test results on the go.


In order to be able to test a patient in the field, the assay needs to be analysed. As the assay results in expressed in GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) production, it is going to be very hard to make any meaningful measurements by hand. This is why our team has concentrated on designing a portable device that would aid the medical staff.

The operation of the device in question relies on several fundamental principles - the discrete nature of the activation and emission wavelengths for GFP, the filtering of UV light and the sensitivity range of LDRs (Light Dependent Resistors). Essentially, the device is going to measure the intensity of fluorescent light due to GFP illumination with UV light, in order to determine the amount (concentration) of GFP in the medium.

The Measurement Chamber

After the assay protocol has been finished, the cuvette is to be placed in the measurement chamber of the device. There a UV LED (Light Emitting Diode) with peak wavelength at 395 nm (the activation wavelength for GFP) will shine through the cuvette and illuminate the GFP molecules in the medium. On the other side of the cuvette, after a UV filter and a Green (green pass-through) filter, the light intensity is going to be measured by means of a LDR (Light Dependent Resistor).

Control Circuit

The LDR is going to be connected to an Arduino, that will be managing and supplying power to the measuring chamber and the measuring process. In order to improve on the simple measurement values, the Arduino will be communicating with a RaspberryPi, that will be using Mathematica software for noise reduction and data analysis. In certain cases the RaspberryPi will be able to react to incoming data by adjusting the measurement procedure employed by the Arduino through the control API.

Portability

The final milestone for the device is going to be portability. With the low-power nature of all the components in question, we aim to design the device to be able to operate from a small USB battery pack. The battery could then be charged in the mains or through a solar-panel charger. The market for such solar chargers is growing rapidly and they can be found on very affordable prices with good reliability.