Singapore develops rapid detection device for avian influenza virus

Researchers in Singapore report in the online edition of the new issue of Nature Medicine that they have developed a handheld device that can detect the H5N1 avian influenza virus from samples in 30 minutesConventional methods that have been put into commercial application to detect the H5N1 avian influenza virus take about 4 hours, and the use ofinstrumentsto isolate and amplify the virus before testingA new device developed by researchers such as Jurgen Piper of the Singapore Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology combines the processes of isolating, purifying, amplification and detecting virusesThe researchers say the new device automatically separates and purifis the virus's genetic material by mixing a human pharynx sample with a super-paramagnetic particleHundreds of tests they conducted showed that the new devices were as accurate, but faster and less expensive, than conventional methodsThe researchers believe the device could also be used to detect viruses such as SARS, AIDS and hepatitis B