New instrument in the making that facilitates blood collection in developing countries

Conditions in developing countries often make it difficult to properly diagnose people. That's why a simple yet accurate technology is needed that can be used on the spot. Researchers at KU Leuven are developing a flexible chip that is able to detect infections and viruses in the blood. The project was awarded funding through the Grand Challenges Explorations initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The research group of Professor Jeroen Lammertyn (Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors) specialises in the development of technology that can detect specific molecules in blood, urine or other bodily fluids. This way  researchers can check the blood for signatures of a certain disease, for instance. The technology, also called lab on a chip, is perfect for diagnosing people in developing countries; places where limited medical resources are available.