Magnetically-enabled biomarker extraction and delivery system: towards integrated ASSURED diagnostic tools

Area of Science:

• Medical Diagnostics
• Biotechnology
• Parasitology

Background:

• Asymptomatic malaria diagnosis is crucial for disease elimination but challenging in resource-limited settings.
• Current diagnostic tools like lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) lack sensitivity for low parasite levels.
• Existing malaria diagnostic methods are often not suitable for rural healthcare infrastructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a field-deployable system to improve the sensitivity of malaria diagnostics.
• To enhance the detection limits of commercially available LFAs for Plasmodium falciparum.
• To create a cost-effective and practical solution for point-of-care malaria testing.

Main Methods:

• Development of a Magnetically-enabled Biomarker Extraction And Delivery System (mBEADS).
• Integration of mBEADS with commercially available Plasmodium falciparum LFAs.
• Evaluation of mBEADS for improved limits of detection, processing time, reagent stability, and cost.

Main Results:

• mBEADS significantly improved the limits of detection for commercial LFAs.
• The integrated system achieved detection limits encompassing an estimated 95% of the malaria disease reservoir.
• mBEADS reduced processing time 10-fold and assay cost 10-fold, adding minimal time and cost per test.
• Reagent stability was improved by the mBEADS platform.

Conclusions:

• The mBEADS platform offers a practical and sensitive solution for diagnosing asymptomatic malaria.
• This user-centered system enhances existing LFAs, aligning with the WHO's ASSURED criteria for point-of-care diagnostics.
• mBEADS represents a significant advancement in malaria diagnostic technology for global health initiatives.