Platform

***EDIT MORE INFORMATION ON BIOLOGICAL PROCESS TO DETECT DIFFERENT DISEASES – homologous recombination*** Opposed to the more commonly used diagnostic tests, which are anti-body based, our detection system is based on homologous recombination between pathogenic DNA and the repressor operon. This allows for sequence specific detection, as well as lends modularity to the device. In order to format the device for a different disease, new primers are designed for the target sequence, and the flanking homologous regions modified to match the new target sequence. In contrast, antibody based tests involved the time-consuming process of developing and producing a unique antibody to suit individual diseases. The recombination based system provides a more rapidly adaptable device that can be modified to detect any known pathogenic sequence.

Through fluid flow analysis of the PCR chamber and transport tubing of the device, it was possible to model if the chambers we aligned radially symmetrical angles result in equal fluid distribution. This means that the number of chambers can vary depending on the need of the region. This modularity of the device to adapt to different situations reflects the ability for this test to have global application.

The current system and prototype is manufactured for developing nations and therefore the system is low cost and economically feasible. When quantifying the system, a colour sensor and Arduino Uno microcontroller was used to detect the colour change and output it to an LCD display. If the need arose to use this system in areas where more resources are available, it is possible to use the digitalized device to link patient profiles to quantified results that could be linked to a patient’s profile. Through optimization of code and programming of the LCD display it would be possible to implement this system for detecting diseases worldwide with multi-tiered design.