Calgary researchers say new tool will make testing for infections easier
CALGARY- University of Calgary researchers say a new device based on the simple glucose meter used by diabetics should make it easier to test humans and animals for infections.
“I realized that the glucometer being used by diabetics around the world is very mature technology. In a small pinprick of blood you can get your measurements and basically you detect glucose,” said associate professor Jeroen De Buck from the school’s faculty of veterinary medicine.”We aimed to develop a technology similar in design and function but with the versatility to detect a wide range of signals of infection.”
The new method tests for things such as specific antibodies in blood, milk or saliva samples.
De Buck and PhD student Marija Drikic have created a biosensor that uses an engineered enzyme that converts infection signals into glucose.